Great British Bake Off star John Whaite launches appeal to find missing sister in Portugal

Great British Bake Off star John Whaite, 30, shared pictures of his sister Victoria Cunningham on Twitter, urging followers to help find her.

In view of his 88,000 fans, he wrote: “My sister has gone missing from Faro Airport.

“We are all worried for her welfare. Portuguese police aren’t interested in helping us search for her.”

He added: “Her name is Victoria Cunningham. She has no passport with her. If you see her please tell her that her family just want her home safe and sound.”

Two hours later, John followed up his post with an update.

He wrote: “Thank you all – still no info on my sister but the British Consulate and Police are now putting pressure on Portuguese police to search.

“We’re so grateful for your help. I just pray we can get her home safe.”

Today, John gave his followers a further update about his sister’s antics.

In a lengthy thread titled “Timeline for my sister”, he began: “Saturday 11:05: Unable to board flight due to breakdown & intoxication (linked to diagnosed depression & PMDD).

“Boyfriend leaves her at Faro airport.

“Monday 13:90: due to board flight 7194 left by police @ check-in. Absconds w/o passport/£.”(sic)

He went on to say Victoria had “apparently headed towards a petrol station in Faro, leaving the airport trying to take a can of coke w/o payment (can therefore assume no money).”

John told fans his other sister and friend were flying out to Faro today to try and find her.

He added: “I’ll relay info from the UK.

“She is vulnerable and could pose a risk only to herself.

“Family worried sick. Have informed consulate, UK police, Portuguese Police.”

Explaining further, he said Victoria had dumped her passport and confirmed she was intoxicated when trying to board the flight.

He added: “Yes the Portuguese police have said they don’t have to look for her unless she commits a crime.

“But she has a history of mental illness and suicide risk. This behaviour stems from diagnoses of depression and PMDD.”(sic)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can cause many emotional and physical symptoms, as stated by mental health charity Mind.

In his latest update, he shared a two-minute long video with his Twitter followers.

He began the video by thanking fans for their support, before reiterating his sister’s mental health issues.

John said she was supposed to board a flight to Faro on August 3 but wasn’t allowed on.

He added she was supposed to return to the UK yesterday, but has left her passport and belongings at the airport.

John went on to say he believes her mobile phone is with her boyfriend, who is now in the UK.

He added his sister and friend are due to land in the country later today to continue a search for her.

John ended the clip telling fans Victoria is a risk to herself, but not to anyone else.

“We just want her home, we love her dearly,” he added, before asking fans to let him know of any helpful information.

source: express.co.uk