Batey was born in Brampton, Cumberland, and educated at the White House School, Brampton. After appearing in clubs as a ventriloquist he made his first TV appearance in 1958 as an interviewer for the BBC. In 1961 he moved to the newly established Border Television, where he became known as "a classless hero who blazed a trail in popular television." He is best known for hosting the original 450-episode run of the game show "Mr. and Mrs.", which was for many years the only programme produced by Border Television that was networked nationally. He also hosted the talk show "Look Who's Talking".