Boy of 13 is found thanks to BGT’s Missing People Choir
Breakthroughs in two other cases after faces shown on ITV
A MISSING child was reunited with his family last night after his photograph appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.
The Missing People Choir moved audiences to tears with its emotional songs performed before a backdrop of the names and faces of those who have vanished.
The group, made up of family and friends of the missing, has been credited with prompting new sightings and police action in old cases.
Last night it was revealed that a 13year- old boy had been found and was ‘home safe and well’ after his picture was among dozens shown above the stage.
The London boy telephoned his mother after seeing the ITV show. His family has requested he is not named.
It comes as a significant lead was reported in the search for Tom Moore, who has been missing for 14 years.
After images of him were also shown during the choir’s performance on Friday night, his family were sent a video of an English speaking man matching his description living rough in Italy.
The family of missing mother Natalie Putt – who also disappeared in 2003 aged 17 – also believe that the 30-strong choir has helped police to reopen her case.
The choir was formed by the Missing People charity and has been backed by Kate McCann.
Members include the father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence. Since performing their audition song I Miss You, penned by member Peter Boxell – whose son Lee went missing in 1988 – they have raised thousands for charity.
Following the possible sighting of ex-public schoolboy Mr Moore, who would now be 45, his parents Ian and Jennifer have flown to Milan to try and find him.
Police and charities have also launched a fresh search for Brentford-born Mr Moore in the city. Officers have accessed homeless hostel records and made a television appeal – leading to three new reported sightings and another photo.
Mr Moore disappeared in 2003 after a family holiday in Corn- wall, having left a note saying: ‘I am going away for a while.’
The last known trace of him was when he made a cash withdrawal in Ancona in July 2003.
Last night his brother Ben, 39, said: ‘This new sighting is really exciting, my parents have shot out there to follow it up.
‘It looks like my brother. It realistically could be Tom. All the features are in line with what Tom looks like – the blonde complexion, reddish beard, medium height ... Of all the images I have ever been sent this comes the closest to being Tom.’
The family of Miss Putt, who would now be 31, said her appearance on Britain’s Got Tal- ent ‘sparked interest’ in her cold case. After her face was shown on Friday, detectives announced they were exhuming graves 200 yards from her home in Dudley, West Midlands. Police have said the case is a murder inquiry but searches in the cemetery this week revealed nothing. Yesterday choir co-founder Clare Cook said: ‘We have been overwhelmed by the response to the ... performances on Britain’s Got Talent – the wonderful news of the missing child who has returned, and the hope that it has given to all those searching. ‘We hope that the Moore family ... are able to find the answers they are hoping for.’
‘The video looks like my brother’