Partner's appeal for missing man who could be in Brighton

The partner of a missing London man believes he could be in Brighton, and said his disappearance is '˜desperately out of character'.
Phil Nicol (left) with his partner Marc BatesPhil Nicol (left) with his partner Marc Bates
Phil Nicol (left) with his partner Marc Bates

The Met Police released an appeal after concerns for the welfare of a missing 47-year-old man Phil Nicol.

Mr Nicol was last seen by his partner on Thursday, March 1, at their home address in Peckham, at 1.30pm.

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Police said CCTV showed him on Saturday, March 3, at the O2 Centre in Finchley Road.

Phil Nicol (Photograph: Met Police)Phil Nicol (Photograph: Met Police)
Phil Nicol (Photograph: Met Police)

But his partner Marc Bates believes he could be in Brighton.

He said: “The connection with Brighton is we have a number of friends in there, and we have been to Brighton Pride every year since we met. We have met a lot of people down there and we visit every few months.”

He said Mr Nicol’s disappearance was ‘desperately out of character for him’.

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“I want Phil to know that I want him to come home, he has nothing to be worried about or ashamed of, he hasn’t let me or his friends down,” Mr Bates said. “He is greatly loved and greatly missed. Nothing is the same without him. If Phil isn’t ready to come home yet, please reach out to a friend, perhaps Samir, Victoria, Heather or Judi to let say that he is OK, perhaps he would prefer to contact his sister Patsy or brother Nik, both miss him very much.”

Mr Bates said his partner is ‘a warm, caring, happy and thoughtful person, a fierce friend, charity champion and dog lover’.

He describes Mr Nicol as white, male, around six foot tall and weighing around 14 stone. He is mostly bald, with a short grey/blond beard, bright blue eyes, a warm smile and engaging nature, Mr Bates said.

Mr Nicol had been working part-time at his partner’s business, but had been hoping to get back into the charity sector, having previously worked as head of fundraising with Diversity Role Models, a charity that seeks to promote diversity and acceptance, as well as volunteering for the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard.

Anyone who may have seen Mr Nicol is asked to contact Southwark Police via 101, or call or text the charity Missing People on 116 000.