England fan stranded 7000 miles from residence for over a yr after passport nicked

On Jul 13, 2026

A bloke from Bolton has revealed how he’s now running short on cash and surviving on porridge and bread after becoming trapped in the Philippines 18 months ago.

Music lover and former record shop owner Stephen Hall, 68, first visited the Asian country over a year ago in order to watch a gig, but after a pair of motorcycle thieves allegedly grabbed a bag containing his passport, mobile, camera, reading spectacles, gig ticket, bank card and money.

Stephen explained to the Manchester Evening News that with no way home and no living relatives, he reached out to the British consulate in The Philippines’ capital Manila, but missed his scheduled departure in January 2025 due to administrative issues.

An adult male, dressed casually, is holding a cup with a straw while standing in a bustling public area. He appears to be taking a selfie. In the background, several people are walking around, and various signs and advertisements are visible, indicating a lively and crowded environment.

Stephen survives by collecting free food samples in a mall in Cebu, Philippines(Image: Stephen Hall)

While another document was issued and a flight home via China and Qatar was arranged, Stephen says that because he had exceeded his visa he was hit by a £300 penalty. Rather than pay up, he decided to postpone his return and challenge the fine, meaning he once again saw his emergency passport expire.

Despite winning his appeal, Stephen said that he has been “blacklisted” by Filipino officials who said he was supposed to have left the country back in December 2025, and that his formal complaint to the UK Foreign Office was also not dealt with.

Stephen, who now claims to only have £20 to his name, admitted he is growing desperate as he is struggling to afford food.

An individual, donning a blue life jacket, stands on the deck of a vessel, smiling broadly and giving a thumbs-up gesture with both hands. The background features a body of water and a skyline with architectural structures and greenery.

Stephen Hall in Manila the day before his passport was stolen(Image: Stephen Hall)

He told The Manchester Evening News:”I have a bowl of oatmeal in the morning and then buy a cheap loaf of bread when it’s half price and a buy a boiled egg and make a sandwich. I have not had a full meal now for six months,” he revealed.

“It’s almost surreal. If I read my story in the Evening News I probably wouldn’t believe it or wouldn’t realise it was my story. I’ve got the equivalent of £20 in pesos left. I’ve told them my story here in the hostel and they’ve given me a little bit of credit. I’ve been here for one year but they’re not going to let me live here for the rest of my life.

“The situation is really bad. There’s a lot of rain here and a lot of rats and it’s dirty. At least I have a roof over my head when its raining. But I know it could get worse. I could be here until next December. I’ve already been stranded here for 18 months and I have no passport and no ticket back to England. I’m not making any progress what-so-ever.

Skyline of Manila City and Manila Bay, Philippines

Stephen described the issue as a “snakes and ladders” problem (Image: (Image: Getty))

“It’s like a game of snakes and ladders. I get almost to the end and I hit a snake and go all the way back down to the beginning again.

“I get up and have my oatmeal and go for a walk around here and watch people play tennis. Everybody talks to me. Then I go to the mall but I don’t have any money to spend. Maybe I’ll meet someone there who might be a lawyer from England or something and they might be able to help.

“If I did get put in a detention centre, you’d just give up hope. There’s no way of contacting people. My only hope is meeting someone with a lot of money who will buy me a ticket home. I’ve got no money to afford to pay for another passport. I’m in a desperate situation.

Stephen has been stuck in The Philippines for the best part of two years (Image: Getty )

“I’m a British citizen. I was born there and lived there all my life until recently. I’m not a racist person but when you see in England people landing on beaches and there’s a bus waiting for them and it takes them to a hotel and they’re offered money to go home. They have spent money on these people and they have not spend money on their own citizens.

“I’ve been paying my taxes and national insurance all my life and I’ve never asked for anything. I’ve been my own businessman. This is the first favour I’ve asked. What’s the point of having an embassy?”.

A representative for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office stated: “We are supporting a British man in Manila, including providing advice and assistance with departure options, and are in contact with the local authorities.”