Father of missing Doncaster teenager Andrew Gosden reveals what he would do if he saw son after nearly 13 years

The father of missing Doncaster teenager Andrew Gosden has renewed hope that a fresh Crimewatch appeal could shed new light on the case.
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Andrew was just 14-years-old when he disappeared without a trace over a decade ago on Friday, September 14, 2007.

He left his home in Balby, withdrew £200 from his bank account and bought a one-way ticket from Doncaster to London when he should have been on his way to school.

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The youngster was last seen on CCTV footage leaving King's Cross station and has not been seen since.

Andrew's dad Kevin is pictured in his bedroom at home. Picture: Chris EtchellsAndrew's dad Kevin is pictured in his bedroom at home. Picture: Chris Etchells
Andrew's dad Kevin is pictured in his bedroom at home. Picture: Chris Etchells

It is understood a fresh Crimewatch appeal is due to hit the nation’s TV screens later this year – and Andrew’s father Kevin hopes it could help bring an end to the ceaseless torment of not knowing what happened to his son.

Mr Gosden said: “12 years on, it has always been and remains a constant struggle.

"When you've got a loved one missing, it's kind of like going through cycles of grief when you assume their dead, and then cycles of hope again when you think he could be fine somewhere.

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"Its always with you, day in day out. A lot of the time it simply feels as though it's never ending. Sometimes you kind of catch yourself and think, seriously, is this really my life?"

A picture of Andrew as a child and what he might look like as an adult. Picture: Chris EtchellsA picture of Andrew as a child and what he might look like as an adult. Picture: Chris Etchells
A picture of Andrew as a child and what he might look like as an adult. Picture: Chris Etchells

He added: “Crimewatch got in touch recently and asked if they could work on the situation regarding Andrew.

“We did a filming session with them last week and they'll be speaking with our brilliant police liaison officer at the beginning of March and putting it all together.

"So again, we keep repeating the same clues in the hope that we could, one day, possibly learn something new."

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From old books, favourite t-shirts and even a rocks and minerals collection, Mr Gosden has kept Andrew’s room in familiar fashion as a pleasant reminder of the boy he used to be.

Andrew's dad Kevin is pictured. Picture: Chris EtchellsAndrew's dad Kevin is pictured. Picture: Chris Etchells
Andrew's dad Kevin is pictured. Picture: Chris Etchells

He added: “It just never occurred to us that anyone in our family would ever go missing.”

Mr Gosden hopes that any interview he does makes people more aware of the growing issue surrounding missing people.

“It's so important that young people should know about these charities and helplines for their own safety and hopefully prevent similar issues in the future."

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Finally, at the thought of potentially seeing his son turn up one day, Mr Gosden concedes that he's not quite sure how he would react at all.

He said: “I think, I'd say hello. Loads of hugs would be involved and probably pizza, if he's still at all passionate about the things he used to be – Italian food would definitely be involved.

"Again, it's a hard question to answer with the uncertainty of knowing anything about his welfare.

“If he is alive and well, I think it would be difficult to come to terms with the change in him, but it doesn't change the fact that I'd be delighted to have my boy back."