THE wife of a former Uefa director from Oxford who has now been missing for a month has made a desperate plea for him to come home for Christmas.

Police believe Bernard Ross, 51, was in the south of France but may have travelled to Switzerland where he used to work at the football governing body's head quarters in Nyon.

He was last seen in Oxford, where he lives, on October 18, Thames Valley Police said.

His disappearance follows his departure in November last year from his long-held position as Uefa's director of TV.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in January and has been in hospital frequently ever since.

Hs wife Jacinta Ross said psychiatrists think the forthcoming anniversary of her husband's last day at work may be behind the reason he vanished, and she fears this could trigger 'dangerous thoughts'.

Oxford Mail:

In a message directed to her husband, she said: "Bernie, we all miss you desperately. I understand. Please just come back and we can rebuild our lives."

The 51-year-old is concerned his behaviour could become unpredictable without his daily dose of lithium to treat bipolar disorder.

Speaking to the Press Association, she said: "It's essential he takes his medication every day.

"We think when he left he would have had about 28 days of medication with him, maybe more, so he will be running out soon if he has been taking it.

"He did a job he loved for 11 years and was very successful.

"He's had an appalling year since January and was in and out of hospital.

"Shortly before he disappeared his treatment seemed to start working and I felt like I was beginning to get my husband back again.

"But with that came clarity."

Oxford Mail:

She is keen to join the hunt in person but feels she cannot leave her children, instead turning her efforts towards spreading the word from the UK as much as possible.

Mrs Ross added: "I feel like the sense of urgency (among the authorities) has been lost.

"Time is of the essence, his family is desperate to have him home for Christmas."

On Thursday, Mrs Ross's MP Layla Moran called on the Government to help in the search for Mr Ross, and Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom vowed to look into the case.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) said: "Uefa will not help him (Mr Ross), and the family are struggling to get information from police forces in EU member states.

"Will the Leader of the House use her good offices to see whether the relevant departments can give the family any assistance, and get Bernie Ross home for Christmas?"

Ms Leadsom replied: "I'm very sorry to hear about the honourable lady's case. If she writes to me about it, I will certainly take it up on her behalf."

Mr Ross is believed to be travelling around the continent on a fold-up Brompton bicycle.

Police said he was in Marseille on October 22 and he was then seen in Grasse, on the French Riviera, on October 31, before apparently crossing the border.

The fluent French speaker is described as 5ft 7in, and of medium build.

Anyone with information or who sees Mr Ross is asked to call police urgently on 0044 1865 841148 or email HBI@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk