A family have relaunched an appeal 20 years after a man went missing outside a North East nightclub, and was believed to last be seen on a BBC show.
The family of Guisborough man, Craig Hetherington, who was last seen on a Saturday in February 2003 outside The Cornerhouse in Middlesbrough at 1am, have relaunched their search efforts nearly 20 years after he went missing.
The last confirmed sighting of Craig, who was 22 at the time, was at the former nightclub on Albert Road, at the junction with Zetland Road.
His mother, Sandra Flintoff, remains hopeful of reuniting with her son despite the heartbreaking circumstances of his disappearance.
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"Although it is 20 years since Craig went missing there is not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.
"Every special day like birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Christmas when families choose to be together, I wonder where he is, and if he is alive, whether he is thinking of us.
"The older I get the sadder it becomes at the thought that I might never see him again or get to know what happened to him."
Since his disappearance, Sandra and stepfather, Alan, have worked tirelessly to keep search efforts for Craig alive.
Meanwhile, the family has sought counselling and publicity support from charity Missing People.
When he was last seen, Craig was described as White European, 6’ 2” with blue eyes and short brown hair.
He also had a small facial scar ones on the side of his left eye and another on his forehead.
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He was last seen wearing a black and white checked long-sleeved shirt, with a white collar and cuffs, black cord trousers and black slip-on shoes with a silver bar, while also wearing a DKNY silver watch on his right hand.
Ndella Senghore, publicity officer for Missing People, said:“If anyone has any information about Craig’s disappearance, they can contact Missing People’s helpline.
"Craig, if you are reading this, please get in touch.
"You can call us on 116 000 or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk. Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
"We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe."
Meanwhile, Craig's family have said they believe they sighted him in 2007 when watching BBC Breakfast's coverage of floods in Leeds City Centre.
In the clip, Sandra said she noticed three men in the background, one of which resembled her son.
Despite police launching an investigation after the family reported the sighting, the three young men could not be identified.
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Missing People have said there helpline serves to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones left behind.
It is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers.
Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website here, and those looking to help with Craig's appeal can visit here.
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