Johnston axes 'just kidnapped look'

Sporting a new close-cropped style, he looked composed as he appeared in front of cameras - less than 24 hours after he was freed. He joked with reporters that he had just been to the barbers, later adding he was enjoying "the most basic things that freedom allows, not least to get a haircut."

Immediately after his release, Johnston was taken to the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, before travelling to the British High Commission in Jerusalem, where he is now recovering.

In a brief emotional phone call home, he was able to speak to his parents, Graham and Margaret, confirming that their "living nightmare" was over.

Mr Johnston Snr said: "All he said was 'Hello Dad', and I said 'Hello son. How are you? Are you all right?' He said 'I am 100%' and then the phone was cut."

Later, Johnston spoke of his ordeal, telling of his joy at being released, the trauma of his capture and his plans for the future.

In a live link-up from Jerusalem he told hundreds of BBC staff at Television Centre in London that he would be grateful for the rest of his life for the support he had received.

After vowing to "stay out of trouble" from now on, he said people could expect to see "a really rapid decline in my profile".

Asked what he wanted to do next in an interview with Sky News, Johnston said: "You know, just the simplest thing, walking through any door, going down the street, seeing friends and family, people you love, you want to do it all at one go.

"You want to read books again, you want to sit in the sun and eat and speak I guess, that is the kind of thing you want to do."