Brittany Ferries’ skipper Captain Olivier Macoin stands beside Bernard Jordan on the deck of the Normandie in Portsmouth Harbour as the 90-year-old war veteran returns to the UK. Photo: Chris Ison/PA Wire

A 90-year-old war veteran found in Normandy after being reported missing from his care home in England has said he intends to return next year as he arrived back in the UK.

Bernard Jordan was reported missing on Thursday night by staff at The Pines care home in Hove, Sussex, after embarking on his cross-channel trip for the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Arriving at Portsmouth on the Brittany Ferries ship Normandie, he said when asked if he had enjoyed his trip: “I had a great time. I’m really pleased I did it.

“It was good, it gets even better as it goes on.”

The former Royal Navy officer said that he would have to face the music when he returned to the home.

He said: “Yeah, I’m going to have to face that but it’s just one of those things.”

Mr Jordan said that his wife knew about his trip and when asked if he would go back next year, he said: “Yes, I expect so, if I am still here definitely.”

Steve Tuckwell, director of communications for Brittany Ferries, said that Mr Jordan enjoyed a breakfast of bacon, two fried eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee during the seven-hour crossing.

I had a great time. I’m really pleased I did it

He said: “For a 90-year-old man he had a healthy appetite. He’s a tremendous fellow, we loved having him on board.”

Mr Tuckwell said that Mr Jordan had been adopted as the company’s honorary veteran and he would be given free crossings to the D-Day commemorations for the rest of his life. He said that Mr Jordan was found by a member of the crew as he travelled across to France on Thursday.

He said: “He was picked up by one of our staff, the ship’s liaison officer, she found him wandering around, she took him under her wing, took him up to the bridge and treated him royally and he won the hearts of the crew.

“We adopted him as an honorary veteran and we will give him free travel to the Normandy beaches for the rest of his life.

“We owe him a huge debt and it was our way of paying him back, he’s a marvellous guy.”

He added: “We took him under our wing, he’s a lovely, lovely guy, when he came off the crew all clapped him.”

He said that Mr Jordan met a group of singers called the Candy Girls during the crossing to France and added: “He’s got a lot of charm with the ladies but I understand he has a wife.”

Earlier Mr Jordan told ITV that he hoped he would not be in trouble when he returned.

He told the broadcaster: “Because I wanted to go to this show here that was on today, that was the main reason I came over here.

“It’s a first class show because I have been here last year and I have been here obviously this time and I’m going to – touch wood I’m still with us – and I will be 91 then, but if I am still about I shall try next year’s as well.”

Asked if he would be in trouble with the care home he added: “I might be, but I hope not.”

Mr Jordan, a former mayor of Hove, left The Pines on Thursday morning wearing a grey mac and a jacket underneath with his war medals on, Sussex Police said.

Officers began searching the area, including checking hospitals in case something had happened to him, and spoke to bus and taxi companies, but none of them knew where he was.

The nursing home received a phone call from a younger veteran from Brighton at 10.30pm who said he had met Mr Jordan on a coach on the way to France and that they were safe and well in a hotel in Ouistreham.

Brittany Ferries said it had laid on a cabin, meals and a car back to the Pines.