0:00:03 > 0:00:05It's minus one...
0:00:05 > 0:00:09and there's a freezing fog hanging over the moors.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11HE SHIVERS
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Even the most prepared walker would think twice
0:00:13 > 0:00:15about going out in these conditions.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19But this man is doing it completely naked,
0:00:19 > 0:00:23apart from a rucksack, boots and socks.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28Strong wind coming exactly where I'm heading.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Man versus nature.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Certainly is.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Stephen Gough, aka the Naked Rambler,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37has been in the headlines for a decade
0:00:37 > 0:00:40and spent the last six-and-a-half years in prison
0:00:40 > 0:00:42because he refuses to wear clothes in public.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Now free, he's heading for his mother's house
0:00:45 > 0:00:47in Eastleigh in Hampshire -
0:00:47 > 0:00:49on foot and naked.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54To Eastleigh it's about 440 miles-ish.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02He'll discover just what the Great British public
0:01:02 > 0:01:03really makes of him.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04CHEERING
0:01:04 > 0:01:08That does not do any good, in this day and age, for this country.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10You have a right to your opinion.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12What made an ex-Marine
0:01:12 > 0:01:14and devoted father...
0:01:14 > 0:01:18He was really supportive when they were little, he was a great dad.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19..turn his back on his family
0:01:19 > 0:01:23and become one of the UK's most infamous prisoners?
0:01:23 > 0:01:24You are under arrest, you are detained.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26You need to come with us to the police car.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Will the police and the weather
0:01:29 > 0:01:32stop the naked rambler from ever making it home?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34This is like climbing Everest.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35Worse than that.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37In Everest, you expect it.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41This programme contains some strong language.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Five in the morning and Stephen Gough is being
0:01:49 > 0:01:52released from Edinburgh Prison into the cold October air.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I haven't got a clue where I'm going.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57I've got a compass somewhere -
0:01:57 > 0:02:00I've got TWO compasses somewhere - don't know where they are.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Um, I can't really guide by the stars, really.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05So... I want to head south.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Stephen's spent the last six-and-a-half years
0:02:09 > 0:02:12in a prison cell because he insists on the right
0:02:12 > 0:02:13to be naked in public.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Right I'm moving. Trying to warm up.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24His nudity and his spells in jail have made him a big news story.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Now he's been released, he plans to walk more than 400 miles
0:02:30 > 0:02:33to see his family in Eastleigh near Southampton.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Am I going all right for, um... for the Pentland Hills, yeah?
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- Yeah, yeah. Totally, yeah. - Straight up?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Straight up and straight over again. - Cheers, thanks.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Walking 15 miles a day,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Stephen hopes to be home in under a month.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50This way to go, is it?
0:02:51 > 0:02:54His nakedness meant the prison restricted his visitation rights.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59He hasn't seen his two teenage children for almost seven years.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00I'd love to see how they are, you know.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Last time I saw them, they was down here somewhere.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08As a father, what are you going to be thinking?
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Maybe very tearful. Probably very tearful.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14I was almost tearful then, answering the question.
0:03:14 > 0:03:15Probably very tearful.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Where's the prison from here, then?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- You can see it. - What, the horrible walls?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Just down in the shadow there.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24Oh, yeah. Ugly thing, innit?
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Stephen's numerous arrests began when he first walked
0:03:30 > 0:03:33naked from Lands End to John o'Groats.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36But back then, he never spent more than a few months in prison.
0:03:38 > 0:03:39Like a Page 3 girl now.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44But in 2006, on a plane to Edinburgh,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47he took his clothes off mid-flight
0:03:47 > 0:03:49and was arrested on arrival.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51After seven months in prison, he was released,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54but immediately rearrested for being naked.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Ever since, it's been a cycle of release and re-arrest.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00To keep him from other prisoners,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03he's spent years in solitary confinement.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05'You're in a cell, locked up,
0:04:05 > 0:04:06'sometimes for 24/7.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10'You're only allowed out for maybe half an hour, sometimes.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11'If they're feeling generous.'
0:04:11 > 0:04:14If you put clothes on, you wouldn't need to be in solitary, would you?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17No, but then I'd be giving up on what I think is right.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21So, um, that's not something I'm prepared to do
0:04:21 > 0:04:23and, er...
0:04:23 > 0:04:26no-one has yet convinced me that...
0:04:26 > 0:04:28when I've questioned them,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30reasons why I should...
0:04:30 > 0:04:34No-one has ever given me a good reason why I should dress.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Stephen appears to have chosen prison above being with his family.
0:04:39 > 0:04:4215 years ago, he was an attentive father to his children.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Does his ex-partner Alison understand what has happened?
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Well he was stubborn, yeah, definitely.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54But this is beyond any stubbornness that I ever experienced.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57I mean, it is extraordinary, really.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01And I think that's probably part of...
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I think probably the legal system couldn't believe...
0:05:04 > 0:05:05that somebody given the choice -
0:05:05 > 0:05:07either you put your clothes on and you're a free man,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11or you don't and we lock you up in solitary confinement - would choose
0:05:11 > 0:05:15"Oh, solitary confinement for me, please."
0:05:15 > 0:05:17I don't think anybody saw that coming.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I've seen him in the papers.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22It seems Stephen has a good chance
0:05:22 > 0:05:24of making it out of Scotland without arrest.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Well done, good on you.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29"Oh, my God, Laura..."
0:05:29 > 0:05:31SHE LAUGHS
0:05:31 > 0:05:32"..check him out!"
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Then the kids all started laughing and saying,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37"Where's his clothes? We can see his bottom!"
0:05:37 > 0:05:38Well...!
0:05:38 > 0:05:42You shouldn't be afraid of, like...
0:05:42 > 0:05:45what you are, who you are, you know?
0:05:45 > 0:05:49A body's a body, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Bad thing - I guess you might get a bit of frostbite on your balls
0:05:53 > 0:05:57in the winter, like, but, you know, hey.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59He seems happy. Good on him!
0:05:59 > 0:06:00THEY CHEER
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Being naked in public isn't technically illegal,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08but if someone complains, then it can be a breach of the peace
0:06:08 > 0:06:11or, more seriously, outraging public decency.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Many people cheered him on...
0:06:14 > 0:06:16CAR HORN BEEPS
0:06:16 > 0:06:18..but not everyone.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20You're a disgrace, so you are.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- Right, OK.- A real disgrace.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24You've a right to your opinion.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28That does not do any good, in this day and age, for this country.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31With everything about paedophiles,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Jimmy Savile, everything.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34And then he's walking along.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36What point is he trying to prove?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40He's not proving anything to anyone, apart from himself,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42that he's an idiot.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I get knocked down, and get up, get knocked down and get up.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47And I think, "Well...
0:06:49 > 0:06:51"..nobody understands what this guy's about,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54"but he keeps it going," so you then get a bit interested.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Can I ask you something?- Yeah.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Why are you walking naked?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Are you not from round here? - Is it not cold?
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I'm not cold, no.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06And why are you not having clothes on, then?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Er, um, good question.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Em, don't know, really.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- Oh.- It's to make a stand.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Stephen's cause is not always clear,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20but it never fails to generate interest and bring him attention.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Press photographers are rarely far away
0:07:24 > 0:07:26and he even has followers -
0:07:26 > 0:07:28some of whom buy him food and give him money.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31One follower, George,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34has even designed a board game based on Stephen's life.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38This is this game I designed for Stephen Gough -
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Naked Rambler Snakes And Ladders.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41Throw the dice, where you go,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45is that if you land on the bottom of a ladder, you can climb the ladder.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48What do you think about what Stephen does?
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Yeah, I've still...
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I think, erm...
0:07:51 > 0:07:54I'd probably have to get back to you on that, at the moment.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56He seems to be happy with what he's doing,
0:07:56 > 0:07:57and it looks like - I'm not really sure -
0:07:57 > 0:08:01it's a cause, or, Stephen himself has said he sees this as a job.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05So, he is maybe still searching for something in his life.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06What?!
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Many people assume Stephen is an extreme naturist
0:08:10 > 0:08:12making a stand about the human body.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16But he always dresses when he stops walking.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I like wearing clothes, I haven't got a thing about clothes...
0:08:20 > 0:08:23..but...I want to be free to wear what I want, yeah?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27So I want to get up in the morning and wear what I want to wear.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Some people, like naturists and that, nudists, they heat up
0:08:31 > 0:08:33their house especially so they can go naked.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35I think that's nuts.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39I'm not one of those, I'm...I'm standing for freedom.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The trouble is the cause...
0:08:43 > 0:08:46What is it and why is it important?
0:08:46 > 0:08:48And I think that's the thing that
0:08:48 > 0:08:50I've never really reconciled...myself.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54If he was... If Steve was out there campaigning for something
0:08:54 > 0:08:57that I thought was really important -
0:08:57 > 0:09:00human rights or children's welfare,
0:09:00 > 0:09:05then I think, you know, with my blessing, off you go.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06But this doesn't make sense to me.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Alison's come to terms with being associated with the Naked Rambler.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Just around the corner from her,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Stephen's mother Nora seems to find it harder to reconcile.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22At 86, Nora doesn't want the media exposure
0:09:22 > 0:09:27that her son seems to crave, and asked for her face not to be shown.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30What is your understanding of why he's doing it?
0:09:30 > 0:09:32I DON'T understand it, I'm afraid.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36I never have understood why he's doing it.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37Do YOU understand it?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40You've been with him more than what I have lately.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42I don't understand it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44It's something to do with freedom.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Yeah, I know THAT. I know it's something to do with freedom,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49but he's not free, is he?
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Stuck in jail six years - that's not free, is it?
0:09:53 > 0:09:58It seems a useless way of living your life, to me.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Morning, George.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03I've got the morning papers for you.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Scotland On Sunday and The Sun.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Bloody hell, I look old there.
0:10:10 > 0:10:1153, yeah?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13HE LAUGHS
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I like that, "Getting undressed to go to work." I like that.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Cos it is, I agree, it's my work, I've finally...
0:10:21 > 0:10:22..settled.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24that this is not going to end
0:10:24 > 0:10:27and then I'm going to get a proper job or settle down.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30This IS me settling down and getting a proper job.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32I've realised I've been doing it all along.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39With the English border only ten miles away,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41it's time to get back to work.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45HE GROANS
0:10:45 > 0:10:49MUSIC: "Over The Hill" by John Martyn
0:10:49 > 0:10:51# Nothing in my favour
0:10:51 > 0:10:53# Got the wind in my face
0:10:53 > 0:10:54# I'm going home
0:10:57 > 0:10:58# Hey, hey, hey
0:10:58 > 0:11:00# Over the hill
0:11:03 > 0:11:05# Over the hill
0:11:07 > 0:11:09# Hey, hey, hey
0:11:09 > 0:11:11# Over the hill...#
0:11:11 > 0:11:14After five days of walking unchallenged,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Stephen's approaching the English border.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Perhaps the country is happy to see the back of the Naked Rambler.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Well, that's it. That's the border.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Cheers, Steve. Just wave again if you can. Arms out.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38With 375 miles to go...
0:11:38 > 0:11:40What a waste!
0:11:40 > 0:11:42..Stephen's on track to get to his mum's house in Eastleigh
0:11:42 > 0:11:44by Christmas.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53England - and it seems the police here have a different attitude.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Stephen's been arrested, charged with a public order offence
0:11:57 > 0:11:58and released within 24 hours.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01He was free for just 20 days
0:12:01 > 0:12:03before winding up back in a police cell.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05There are some benefits, though.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07You get arrested, you'll continue,
0:12:07 > 0:12:08nothing's going to stop you.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11It's given me a chance for my socks to get dried out.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13My socks were soaking, and now they're dry.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15So that's one good thing.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16I got a few...few meals.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- MAN OFF SCREEN:- That's disgusting!
0:12:21 > 0:12:24There's fucking kids around, you dirty bastard.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Have you got any flapjacks, any flapjacks?
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Couple of Mars Bars, Snicker?
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Do you get many customers like this?
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Stephen was only released half an hour ago.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46Is this a joke, is it?
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- No, no.- Did you release me?
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Release me and arrest me again - I just don't really understand that.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Please, tell me what's going on.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53HE LAUGHS
0:12:53 > 0:12:55What's your name?
0:12:55 > 0:12:56- Stephen Gough.- Stephen.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Stephen, have you got anything in your bag?
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Loads of things in my bag.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02We'll need your bag off you.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Stephen has been arrested so many times over the last ten years,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09it's reported to have cost the taxpayer
0:13:09 > 0:13:12hundreds of thousands of pounds.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- MAN OFF CAMERA:- Dirty bastard, there's kids around!
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Oi! Oi!
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Stephen is one of seven children.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25His mother Nora doesn't remember him having a problem with authority.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Was Stephen disobedient as a child?
0:13:28 > 0:13:32I don't remember him being disobedient particularly, no.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34At school?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Well, he never got the cane, which they used to do in those days.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41So he was a well-behaved boy?
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Well, as far as I know, yeah.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47At 16, he left the local comprehensive school
0:13:47 > 0:13:48and joined the Marines.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Did he do well in the Marines?
0:13:52 > 0:13:53Well, I thought he did.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58When he left, he had a good character reference.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01This well-behaved child, behaved well at home,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03behaved well at school, joined the Marines.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06This doesn't sound like the same person as Steve, does it?
0:14:06 > 0:14:07It doesn't, does it?
0:14:07 > 0:14:10No, that's why it's so amazing that he's doing this,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12I just can't understand it, myself.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Steve!
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Stephen has been released by West Yorkshire Police
0:14:19 > 0:14:21and has headed on to the Pennine Way.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24Steve!
0:14:25 > 0:14:26Steve!
0:14:28 > 0:14:30You haven't seen a naked rambler, have you?
0:14:31 > 0:14:33What does he look like?
0:14:33 > 0:14:35He's naked! He's got a big beard.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39There's a fella pitched up down there with a big beard.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40He's pitched his tent up.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Morning.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00How are you feeling today?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02STEVE LAUGHS
0:15:02 > 0:15:03All right, yeah.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06It's freezing
0:15:06 > 0:15:09and Stephen hasn't eaten in over 24 hours.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13I need to get some food and some fuel.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Big food.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Food that...
0:15:17 > 0:15:19A loaf of bread type food.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Can YOU see sense in what I'm doing, cos you may not?
0:15:25 > 0:15:27You might think...you know?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Um, well...
0:15:29 > 0:15:31You may not be able to see it.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I tell you what, when I phoned my mum last night,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36she said she thought I liked publicity, right?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39And, um...
0:15:40 > 0:15:42There's two ways to look at it, right?
0:15:42 > 0:15:43Yeah, I like publicity.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48But it's not for me, I'm not doing it because I want to be famous.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I'm doing it because of what I'm doing.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54I want to... I want to rai...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I want people to know about what I'm doing.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- All right?- Can I get a picture with you, boss?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Yeah, sure.- Good man.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19I don't believe this. There's a naked rambler up here.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22This is the man.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23- Lovely.- Thank you, boss.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24It's fucking freezing.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26You're mad in your head!
0:16:27 > 0:16:28I'm going that way.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37BLEATING
0:16:43 > 0:16:44It's a bloody wind tunnel.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48You're shivering, Steve.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Yeah, I am, yeah.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52I really shouldn't be stopping, really.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- I want to put some clothes on. - Clothes on?!
0:16:57 > 0:17:00It was certainly very different weather in 2005
0:17:00 > 0:17:02when Stephen went on his second walk
0:17:02 > 0:17:04from Land's End to John o'Groats...
0:17:05 > 0:17:08..accompanied by a girlfriend.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10So the last time you did the walk, it was in summer.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Yeah, it was, yeah.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Was it very different?
0:17:14 > 0:17:15Very, very different, yeah.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Very, very, very, very different.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Why?
0:17:20 > 0:17:21Well, summer...
0:17:23 > 0:17:25..blue skies. You stop for lunch
0:17:25 > 0:17:28and it would be so warm you'd just lie down
0:17:28 > 0:17:29on some lovely bit of grass.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Get out your food, lay it out like a little picnic.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Didn't need to put on clothes.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Didn't WANT to put on clothes cos it was warm.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40'It was just lovely.'
0:17:40 > 0:17:41- 'And now?- Now, it's...'
0:17:42 > 0:17:45It's walking in gale-force winds
0:17:45 > 0:17:49and getting wet and I was even thinking of a warm police cell.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50No?!
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Even a police... Getting arrested and getting put in a police cell
0:17:52 > 0:17:54is preferable to this.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Stephen is putting himself through incredible hardship
0:17:59 > 0:18:02for a cause he sometime finds hard to explain.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07He often talks of freedom, but what does he mean by it?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Do you feel you're helping people by doing this?
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- In some way?- Yeah, I do, yeah.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20By helping them to confront their false beliefs about who they are.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Along comes someone like me and it challenges them.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Cos if we...consider ourselves as being a democratic and free society
0:18:30 > 0:18:31then, well...
0:18:33 > 0:18:34..how far does that go?
0:18:36 > 0:18:37HE BREAKS WIND
0:18:37 > 0:18:38There's a bigger...
0:18:38 > 0:18:39HE BREAKS WIND
0:18:42 > 0:18:45There's a bigger, bigger thing at stake.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Not sure what it is, but...
0:18:52 > 0:18:54You don't have many manners, do you?
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Like, you just fart in public, restaurant or whatever, pub.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Well, it's all about asking what is manners, you know?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Manner, manner. Manners is about manner, isn't it?
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- Well, it's...- Go to different societies, it's different.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15If you're in the company of people that you feel relaxed
0:19:15 > 0:19:18and free with, that word again, freedom with.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22But, Steve, is farting in public really about freedom?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Yes, it is about freedom. Yes.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Do you really think that's what freedom is about?
0:19:27 > 0:19:29It's not only about farting in pubic,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31it's about being able to speak freely.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Freedom of speech.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Yeah, these are things that really matter.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36Yeah, well, it's the same.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39There's freedom fighters out there fighting for the right to vote,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41fighting for the right to be educated
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and you are freedom fighting for the right to fart!
0:19:45 > 0:19:48You may be making it into a triviality...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52but you try, as I have in the past,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54bottling up your farts, you'll get a stomach-ache.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Stephen has embarked on a one-man mission
0:20:01 > 0:20:04to break down what he sees as society's unreasonable taboos.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10If you want to fart, spit, swear or even walk naked in public,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12why shouldn't you?
0:20:17 > 0:20:21It remains a mystery why an obedient child and successful Marine
0:20:21 > 0:20:25chose this quest at the expense of seeing his own children grow up.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Eastleigh is a large but run-of-the-mill town
0:20:30 > 0:20:31just outside Southampton.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36The place itself had a big impact on Stephen and his siblings,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39according to his younger brother Robert.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41I think everybody in the family...
0:20:44 > 0:20:46..has, like, gone out there
0:20:46 > 0:20:49to go and find life, to go and find something.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53There's more to life than living in Eastleigh.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56I know, when I was young, I wanted to get out of Eastleigh.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I didn't get very far, but...
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Yeah, so they probably wanted to see what was going on
0:21:02 > 0:21:04in the rest of the world, I suppose.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07The central thing for all of the things
0:21:07 > 0:21:10that have happened in Steve's life...
0:21:10 > 0:21:12is just this profound energy...
0:21:14 > 0:21:17..to try and work out what life's about.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19My eldest son's a Buddhist.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24The second son's Raja Yoga, which is an Indian philosophy.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29So your whole family are looking for ways to live their life.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31They're looking for something, yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35MUSIC: "All My Days" by Alexi Murdoch
0:21:41 > 0:21:44On a quest to find out what life is about,
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Stephen left the Marines when he was 20 and travelled to Thailand.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53There he joined a religious sect - the Moonies.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Obviously I was looking for answers to life
0:21:55 > 0:21:56and they said "Here you are.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59"Here's all the answers you'll ever need.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00"Take that."
0:22:00 > 0:22:03And I swallowed it and joined up.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07But Stephen and the Moonies parted company after two years.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12I went with a couple of prostitutes and in the end they sort of...
0:22:12 > 0:22:15They didn't chuck me out, as in kick me out the door.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17They said it's best if I left
0:22:17 > 0:22:20because I was a bad influence on the youngsters.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21So I left in the end.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24# And I've been trying to find
0:22:26 > 0:22:30# What's been in my mind
0:22:32 > 0:22:35# As the days keep turning into night...#
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Then he just landed back in the UK and suddenly it was, like,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45"Well, what am I going to do now?"
0:22:45 > 0:22:47"Who am I? Where am I going?"
0:22:50 > 0:22:54He then spent the next few years doing odd jobs in Eastleigh...
0:22:55 > 0:22:57..until he met Alison.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Although they've been separated for over ten years,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Alison and Stephen still stay in touch.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10I think it's important, but it's important work.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12You know, it's important.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16We want our kids to, er... And we want to live in a society that's
0:23:16 > 0:23:22free and open and tolerant, don't we?
0:23:22 > 0:23:23That's what we want.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30The couple first met in 1992
0:23:30 > 0:23:32and lived together in Eastleigh before starting a family.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Did you fall in love with Stephen?
0:23:37 > 0:23:38Yeah.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40SHE LAUGHS
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- Yes, I did.- You did?- Yeah.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48We had a period, particularly the fondest memory
0:23:48 > 0:23:51I have really of all the time that I knew Steve,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54was when we had children.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57He was brilliant, you know, even at their birth,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59he was really supportive when they were born,
0:23:59 > 0:24:00he was supportive when they were little.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02He was a great dad.
0:24:02 > 0:24:03It can be a bit frustrating
0:24:03 > 0:24:07if I forget that I'm bringing up a human being here.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I mean, what could be more important than that?
0:24:09 > 0:24:13So it's charming to watch and it makes it all worthwhile, really,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15these little moments.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Ultimately I do find this whole...
0:24:17 > 0:24:19everything that's happened really very sad.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I think it's sad for the children,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24but mostly I think it's sad for Steve.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27I think he's missed out on ten years of having a relationship
0:24:27 > 0:24:29with his children, and for what?
0:24:30 > 0:24:31It doesn't make any sense to me,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and I think ultimately it's very, very sad.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38When's the last time you saw your kids?
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Six-and-a-half years ago.
0:24:48 > 0:24:49It's a long time.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51It is a long time, yeah.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56It's a time when they've gone from children to young adults, almost.
0:24:56 > 0:24:57But, um...
0:24:58 > 0:24:59That's what...
0:24:59 > 0:25:01That's how life's turned out.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04And I don't regret what I've done at all,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08even though it means that I've been separated from my children,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10cos you've got to follow your passion.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13And that, sometimes in life, sometimes that means that
0:25:13 > 0:25:16you can't be with your children or be with those you love.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27- ALISON:- At the minute he's supposed to be walking back to Eastleigh
0:25:27 > 0:25:29to see his family. But it's freezing cold,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32it's pouring with rain, it's windy, but he's doing it naked.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I'm just looking back, trying to make some sense of it.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39How did I end up having a relationship with somebody
0:25:39 > 0:25:42that would then... if this was going to be the outcome?
0:25:42 > 0:25:44How did I not see it coming?
0:25:44 > 0:25:45But I really didn't see it coming.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55No-one understands what turned Stephen from an attentive,
0:25:55 > 0:25:56loving father...
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Steve?
0:25:58 > 0:26:02..to someone who appears to have turned his back on his children...
0:26:02 > 0:26:04for six-and-a-half years.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Stephen has been arrested and released once again.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21He's still 140 miles from home.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24How are you?
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- Fancy meeting you here! - What's going on?
0:26:28 > 0:26:29I don't know!
0:26:31 > 0:26:35The authorities have arranged for a taxi to take him away,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and he's left outside the jurisdiction
0:26:37 > 0:26:38of West Midlands Police.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42The taxi pulls up at a lay-by just off the M5.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45OK, cheers.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- It's gone a bit cold, hasn't it, Steve?- Yep.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53It's only one degree.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55That's not too cold, is it?
0:26:57 > 0:26:58It's ice.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59Is it?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10News coverage and social media campaigns
0:27:10 > 0:27:13mean the Naked Rambler's supporters know when he's out of prison.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Today a man called Augustus has arranged to
0:27:18 > 0:27:20go on part of the journey with him.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Why are you here to see Stephen?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Well, because I support his cause.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28Do you?
0:27:28 > 0:27:29Yeah...
0:27:32 > 0:27:36I'm quite fond of walking around naked myself, so...
0:27:36 > 0:27:38I think he's a very wise man, actually.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40He's fascinating to talk to.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44It's unusual in this day and age to find a man
0:27:44 > 0:27:47who's got principles and sticks to them, come what may.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Is that your loincloth?
0:27:51 > 0:27:52I call it a breechcloth.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54So that means it's not illegal?
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I believe so. Well, it's not illegal without it.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01SONG: "Rambling On My Mind"
0:28:03 > 0:28:05# I've got ramblin' on my mind... #
0:28:05 > 0:28:06CAR HORN BEEPS
0:28:09 > 0:28:11# I've got ramblin'
0:28:13 > 0:28:15# I've got ramblin' all on my mind... #
0:28:17 > 0:28:19MAN LAUGHS
0:28:19 > 0:28:21# Hate to leave you here, babe
0:28:22 > 0:28:24# But you treat me so unkind. #
0:28:31 > 0:28:32What am I doing that's indecent?
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Exposure. Exposure.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Exposing what? What am I exposing that's indecent?
0:28:37 > 0:28:38Your genitals.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42After only half an hour's walking,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45Stephen and Augustus are taken to the local police station.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51They're released that evening and Augustus returns home.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53So you're a musician?
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Yeah, yeah. That's one of my jobs, as it were.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57I've been trying to write a song
0:28:57 > 0:28:59about the joys of being nude for years,
0:28:59 > 0:29:03but nothing ever came of it until this year.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06So I think this is the thing.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11# Walk on the wild Let it all hang free
0:29:11 > 0:29:13# Easy movements, lots of vitamin D
0:29:13 > 0:29:17# There are those who think it's not respectable
0:29:17 > 0:29:20# Cool breeze tickling testicles
0:29:20 > 0:29:21# Feel the sun
0:29:21 > 0:29:23# Warming your bum
0:29:25 > 0:29:26# It ain't rude to be nude
0:29:26 > 0:29:27# It's the natural way
0:29:27 > 0:29:29# Go on, dare to be bare
0:29:29 > 0:29:30# Just wear the air. #
0:29:31 > 0:29:34That's the first version chorus.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36That was really good.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Yeah, I'm going to have to record it.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Augustus has his own reasons for being naked in public.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44I haven't got a girlfriend,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47but if I go out and walk in the nude
0:29:47 > 0:29:52and people look at me and especially if they smile or laugh or talk,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54'then that pleases me.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58'Someone's noticing me, I'm obviously liked'
0:29:58 > 0:30:00and it's nice to be liked.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Well, I did have a girlfriend way back.
0:30:06 > 0:30:07She dumped me five years ago.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12When she dumped me, that was hard, that was...
0:30:13 > 0:30:15That was tough.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16Cor...
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Augustus's relationship seems to have had a big impact on him.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25What effect did Stephen's separation from Alison have?
0:30:28 > 0:30:33In 2001, the family moved to a communal housing project in Canada,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37and it was here Stephen's growing interest in naturism
0:30:37 > 0:30:39started to affect their relationship.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Steve first started going naked in Canada.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Swimming in lakes. You know, we'd come across a lake, perhaps
0:30:48 > 0:30:50we'd walked for hours to get there and there was no-one else around.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52He'll go for a naked swim.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Fine.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58But slowly it became more frequent and more public, his nakedness.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Things got more serious when Alison's parents came to visit.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05And Alison was getting a bit of a whiff
0:31:05 > 0:31:08that I was being more bold, and so she started to ask me,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11"Am I going to go naked when her parents come?" That sort of thing.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13And I said, "I don't know, I'm trying to be spontaneous.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16"And I'm trying to be, not...
0:31:17 > 0:31:19"Be natural."
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Really sunny morning, I'm eating breakfast
0:31:21 > 0:31:25with my parents on this roof garden, which is shared with our neighbours.
0:31:25 > 0:31:26And Steve came to join us
0:31:26 > 0:31:30at the breakfast table with a bowl of muesli in his hands,
0:31:30 > 0:31:31with nothing on.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35And I just walked in, just went there naked with a bowl of muesli,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39as you do! Lovely day and, um...
0:31:39 > 0:31:40In front of her parents?
0:31:40 > 0:31:41I think her mum was there.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Alison's mum was there.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47The mum didn't... Alison's mum didn't react hardly at all.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Alison, on the other hand, said,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53"That's enough!" And stormed off.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55You know, I think in most relationships,
0:31:55 > 0:31:59that's a pretty reasonable request, when eating a meal with my parents,
0:31:59 > 0:32:03could you please keep your pants on, you know...
0:32:03 > 0:32:07I said immediately, that's it, my relationship with Steve is over.
0:32:07 > 0:32:13I think that he was really...upset that I took that decision.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18I think he felt that, as his life partner or whatever, it was my...
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Part of what I'd signed up to was to support him in
0:32:21 > 0:32:23being who he wanted to be.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24So I think he was a bit devastated.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Stephen's quest to find a way of life that made him happy
0:32:35 > 0:32:38had taken him from the Marines to the Moonies
0:32:38 > 0:32:40and then to family life abroad.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43But he wanted something more.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Stephen remembers a long walk in the Canadian woods
0:32:52 > 0:32:54where he had what he calls an epiphany.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59When I went out for the walk,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01it was almost like I expanded...
0:33:02 > 0:33:03..and it was good.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Yeah.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09So...
0:33:11 > 0:33:15So that's really where it sort of came from, really.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19That sort of feeling inside,
0:33:19 > 0:33:21it obviously changes how you are.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23So, um...
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Do you think, when he went for that walk in the wood,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29it was a critical moment in his life?
0:33:29 > 0:33:30Yeah.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33Tell me why.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37Well, I mean, that was when he started to question
0:33:37 > 0:33:38what he was doing and think about
0:33:38 > 0:33:40what he wanted to do differently, really.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I mean, that was when he gave himself time to just think.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46And, er...
0:33:46 > 0:33:49So obviously it broke.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53It broke my previous ideas about myself.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56So obviously I thought there was a bit of apprehension
0:33:56 > 0:33:57about what I was before,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59but this was certainty.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02So...
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Things would never be the same again.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13His mission was to share his insight with the world
0:34:13 > 0:34:16and tell people about the freedom nakedness represents.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22He returned to England,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25and in 2003, went on his first walk to John o'Groats.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28The Naked Rambler was born.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33He tried the Marines, he tried the Moonies,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37he tried being a devoted dad, but freedom through nakedness
0:34:37 > 0:34:40gave him the purpose he was always looking for.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Certainly there is a pattern.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47It almost feels like another project that he's had -
0:34:47 > 0:34:50another attempt that he's had to find a situation
0:34:50 > 0:34:52that he can be comfortable in.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I think one of the problems perhaps with having a young family
0:34:55 > 0:34:57is that it was a little bit anonymous.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01I think he also wants to be recognised for
0:35:01 > 0:35:05the individual creative thinker that he sees himself as, or something.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07All right?
0:35:07 > 0:35:10No longer an anonymous father,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Stephen sees himself as a freedom fighter
0:35:13 > 0:35:14resisting an unjust world.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18It's about freedom, it's about prejudice and...
0:35:22 > 0:35:24..intolerance.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27It's pushing that back. As we do that within ourselves
0:35:27 > 0:35:31and we become freer, and then society does it,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33then that socie...soc...
0:35:33 > 0:35:34I can't even say it!
0:35:34 > 0:35:37That society becomes freer.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40You think with discrimination against black people in America
0:35:40 > 0:35:43and homosexuality etc, etc,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46we should live in a tolerant country, tolerant society.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52It's something we want to shine a light on and get rid of.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57Morning.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59- Afternoon.- Afternoon.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04Many question Stephen's mental health,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07but he refuses to be assessed by a psychologist.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13As a self-styled freedom fighter,
0:36:13 > 0:36:17he seems to put his principles above the feelings of others...
0:36:17 > 0:36:19regardless of the consequences.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Carterton, just outside Oxford.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30It's 3:20pm.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34It seems like school's out time, by the looks of it.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35Does that bother you?
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Well, people make associations, don't they?
0:36:38 > 0:36:40It doesn't bother me. No, I'm not doing nothing wrong.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I've followed my compass down a bridleway
0:36:42 > 0:36:44and it's led me into this area at this time,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46so that's just the way it is.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Maybe you should get out of here, Steve?
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Well, how am I going to? Fly?
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Steve, maybe you should go the other way
0:36:53 > 0:36:55where the schoolchildren aren't...
0:36:55 > 0:36:57No, this is south, I've got to go south.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Steve, we're going to get in trouble here, mate.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04CAR HORN BEEPS
0:37:05 > 0:37:07I think we should go the other way.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Guy, what are you on about?
0:37:11 > 0:37:13What would I go the other way for?
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Because you're going to get arrested here.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I'm going south, I'm going home.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19I know, but...
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Why should I turn around and go north?
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Because there's a load of kids coming.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Guy, you're being a bit crazy.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29- What?!- What are you talking about?
0:37:31 > 0:37:33You're going to get arrested, mate.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Guy, I'm getting a bit pissed off with what you're doing here, mate.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40The perception of Stephen as a harmless eccentric
0:37:40 > 0:37:43comes into question in situations like this.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Either he doesn't care
0:37:45 > 0:37:48or is oblivious to the impact on these children and their parents.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54There are complaints to the police.
0:37:58 > 0:37:59Shortbread, I might get one of them.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Do you think they're after YOU, Steve?
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Just look the other way and hope they'll go away.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21POLICE RADIO CHATTER
0:38:23 > 0:38:24Excuse me.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27It was funny, but it was also a bit scary
0:38:27 > 0:38:31because I didn't, like, know what to expect.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33You are under arrest, you are detained,
0:38:33 > 0:38:34you need to come with us to the police car
0:38:34 > 0:38:36and we'll go further from there.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37Disgusting, really.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39But obviously I don't know the circumstances of it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42Why's it disgusting?
0:38:42 > 0:38:46Just because, outside a school. Obviously, children...
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Relax. Bloody hell.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54The police are taking this offence more seriously,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57and charged with outraging public decency,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Stephen will be sent for trial by jury.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06If found guilty, his offence could mean another year in prison.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Christmas is spent in custody awaiting trial.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17But after two months,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20the charge is suddenly and unexpectedly dropped.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24The Naked Rambler is free once again.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Stephen is camping out near Basingstoke.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31The weather has taken a turn for the worse.
0:39:33 > 0:39:34Steve!
0:39:42 > 0:39:43Steve!
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- Here.- Down here, down here.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Oh, my God.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53How can anyone camp out in this?!
0:39:55 > 0:39:56How are you?
0:39:58 > 0:39:59What happened to your tent?
0:39:59 > 0:40:01I've just taken it down.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03Wow.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08So...you're heading off again?
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Yeah.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14It's only 40 miles to Eastleigh.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Do you regret going past the school?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- No.- No?- Course not, no.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It would have been a contradiction if I did.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30You're making some sort of point about freedom,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32but I'm saying maybe you shouldn't involve children...
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Yes, I am! I'm saying it's good to be free.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37But I'm saying maybe you shouldn't involve children in that.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39You can't help it. That's life.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44Why shouldn't children be involved in life?
0:40:45 > 0:40:46The goings-on in life.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Home by tomorrow?
0:40:57 > 0:41:01Possibly. Have a nice sleep in a proper bed.
0:41:03 > 0:41:04See your mum?
0:41:04 > 0:41:08See my mum, see my kids, see my friends and family.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09Yeah, it'll be great.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24After four months, eight arrests
0:41:24 > 0:41:28and more than 400 miles of walking through wind, rain and snow,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Stephen finally makes it home.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Seven long years.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Yeah. Well, it's not THAT long, is it, seven years?
0:41:44 > 0:41:46The school I used to go to when I was little. That one there.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- Really?- Yeah.- It's your old school? - Yeah.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54Is that your mum's house?
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Yeah, we're in the block now.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Well, here we are.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06I know, shall we not go in, eh?
0:42:16 > 0:42:17All right, Mum?
0:42:22 > 0:42:24- Hello.- All right.- Come in.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26I must have fallen asleep.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27Can they come in to watch?
0:42:27 > 0:42:29- Yeah, yeah.- Yeah, come on in.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31It's a big moment for his mother.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Whether it's the excitement or the press attention,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Nora's now happy to appear on camera.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40It's lovely to see you and you look...
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Oooh, you make me cold looking at you!
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Tabloid journalists turn up for the homecoming
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and set up their perfect shot.
0:42:49 > 0:42:50Mummy.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51SHE LAUGHS
0:42:53 > 0:42:54Lovely.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57- I'll get some clothes on.- Yeah.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59It must feel funny wearing clothes if you...
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- No, when I stop... It's a public thing.- Oh, right.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- That's the idea. - Oh, when you stop, you get dressed?
0:43:06 > 0:43:08Straightaway, yeah. First thing I do.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10God, I'd die otherwise, wouldn't I?
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Now he's finally arrived,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17no-one seems quite sure what Stephen is going to do next.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21So, yeah, he's back.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Yeah, I don't know what he'll do now he's back,
0:43:23 > 0:43:25cos he's got quite notorious, hasn't he?
0:43:26 > 0:43:29If that's the word.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Do you think he's going to walk round Eastleigh naked?
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Well, I hope not!
0:43:34 > 0:43:37Alison comes round to see him.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Their children wait outside.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41- Hi.- Hello.- Come in. Cor, freezing.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43SHE LAUGHS
0:43:43 > 0:43:45- How are you doing?- Is it just you?
0:43:45 > 0:43:46Yeah, at the moment.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49I'm just checking you've got something on. Which indeed you have.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52- So that's fantastic.- I've had stuff on for ages. Think I'd be naked?
0:43:52 > 0:43:54- I thought you might.- On your own?
0:43:54 > 0:43:55The children are outside.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Are they? What, checking whether I'm naked or not or something?
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- Do they want to come in? - Yeah, they do.- Bring them in, then.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04Go on then, give them a shout.
0:44:04 > 0:44:05Two teenage children
0:44:05 > 0:44:08are about to meet their father for the first time
0:44:08 > 0:44:10in six-and-a-half years.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Hi, hi, come in. Come in.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15I'm your dad, by the way.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18The family wanted this moment to be a private one.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Tall as me or what? Hang on.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25No, nowhere near. No, sorry.
0:44:30 > 0:44:31The next day,
0:44:31 > 0:44:35Alison explains how Stephen's meeting with the children went.
0:44:35 > 0:44:37Obviously, it wasn't relaxed for the children.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40I'm sure it was very odd, they haven't seen him for a long time.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43But, yeah, it didn't feel too traumatic or anything.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45What did you talk about?
0:44:45 > 0:44:48Steve talked a lot about why he's been doing
0:44:48 > 0:44:50what he's been doing etc, wanting to...
0:44:52 > 0:44:54Wondering if the children have any understanding
0:44:54 > 0:44:56of why he's been doing what he's doing
0:44:56 > 0:45:00and trying to help them understand perhaps what he's been up to.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03STEVE LAUGHS
0:45:03 > 0:45:06So I think that's a good picture. That's a brilliant picture, isn't it?
0:45:06 > 0:45:09Yeah. Long as they cut it off there and don't show all the legs.
0:45:09 > 0:45:10What are you on about legs, Mum?
0:45:10 > 0:45:12So meeting them last night,
0:45:12 > 0:45:16are there any regrets now about not seeing them for seven years?
0:45:16 > 0:45:17No.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21- No regrets?- No.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25You didn't look at them and think,
0:45:25 > 0:45:27"God, I wish I'd been there when you were growing up"?
0:45:27 > 0:45:29No.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Cos that would mean I wish I hadn't done what I did, surely.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36I'm glad all that's happened,
0:45:36 > 0:45:39there's nothing I regret about my life.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41I do.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45But, um...I don't look at it from Steve's point of view.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47I just wish he'd been around.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52You're part of the family,
0:45:52 > 0:45:55and I love you,
0:45:55 > 0:45:59and I wish you hadn't been away all these years.
0:45:59 > 0:46:03So, are you going to be naked when you go out in Eastleigh?
0:46:03 > 0:46:06I haven't gone out yet. But, yes, I've got to answer yes to that.
0:46:06 > 0:46:07Oh.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11I won't like that, no. Definitely.
0:46:12 > 0:46:13That's just the way it is,
0:46:13 > 0:46:16and I respect her for sticking to her beliefs.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19The town needs spicing up a bit.
0:46:19 > 0:46:20HE LAUGHS
0:46:20 > 0:46:22So, um, you know...
0:46:23 > 0:46:26If it does nothing else, it gets people thinking.
0:46:26 > 0:46:27What harm can that do?
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Yeah. Watch this space, as they say.
0:46:40 > 0:46:41SHE SIGHS
0:46:44 > 0:46:46Stephen's beginning a new chapter...
0:46:46 > 0:46:47It's funny being naked.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50..attempting to live a normal life in Eastleigh -
0:46:50 > 0:46:52only, naked.
0:46:52 > 0:46:53I'm going to the dentist.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57I've got a hole in my tooth - I want to get that sorted, obviously.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00You're going to the dentist like this?
0:47:00 > 0:47:01Yes.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04Yes, it's a new dentist, so they're looking for...
0:47:04 > 0:47:06I presume they're looking for new clients.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09Whether I'm the sort of person they're looking for, I don't know.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12They might have a canny head on and think,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15"Ooh, a bit of publicity here." Who knows?
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Here we go, then.
0:47:24 > 0:47:25- Morning.- Hello.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28Do you think Eastleigh will tolerate you being naked?
0:47:28 > 0:47:29Well, that's it, isn't it?
0:47:29 > 0:47:34We're supposed to be a tolerant, free, broad-minded country.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38That's the democratic values that we...are supposed to stand by.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40Well, that's got to be tested.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42You've tried a lot of things in your life, haven't you?
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Is this the one thing that makes you happy, is it?
0:47:45 > 0:47:47It's like a calling, isn't it?
0:47:47 > 0:47:51It's your true calling, if you like.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53And this feels like it.
0:47:55 > 0:47:56MUSIC: "Ramblin' Boy"
0:48:01 > 0:48:04# May all your ramblin'
0:48:04 > 0:48:07# Bring you joy
0:48:07 > 0:48:10# Here's to you
0:48:10 > 0:48:13# My ramblin' boy
0:48:13 > 0:48:16# May all your ramblin'
0:48:16 > 0:48:20# Bring you joy... #
0:48:22 > 0:48:26I've got a big hole in my tooth where a crown used to be.
0:48:26 > 0:48:30And I'd like to get that sorted pretty swiftly, if that's possible?
0:48:30 > 0:48:33# And here's to you
0:48:33 > 0:48:36# My ramblin' boy
0:48:36 > 0:48:40# May all your ramblin'
0:48:40 > 0:48:43# Bring you joy
0:48:43 > 0:48:45# Here's to you
0:48:45 > 0:48:48# My ramblin' boy
0:48:48 > 0:48:52# May all your ramblin'
0:48:52 > 0:48:55# Bring you joy. #
0:48:57 > 0:48:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd