Michael Mosley: the BBC doctor who popularized the 5:2 diet and disappeared in Greece is presumed dead

The wife of British radio and television presenter Dr Michael Mosley has paid tribute to her husband, after a body was found after days of searching on the Greek island of Symi.

“It is devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband,” Clare Bailey Mosley said in a statement confirming his death.

As she explained, her husband – who was a presenter of numerous BBC television and radio programs, and author of health and science articles also published by BBC Mundo – took a wrong route and collapsed.

Mosley, 67, disappeared on Wednesday while on vacation, after embarking on a walk from Agios Nikolaos beach towards the center of the island.

That day, temperatures in Symi were extremely high, with values ​​of 40C in the afternoon hours.

The body was found on a hillside near the Agia Marina beach bar in the early hours of Sunday.

“He made an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where the extensive search team could not easily see him,” his wife said in a statement.

“Michael was a man adventurousthat’s part of what made it so special.”

According to what a police source told the BBC, he is estimated to have been dead for “several days.”

The body was transferred to Rhodes, “where it must be officially identified,” Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas, mayor of Symi, told the BBC.

Mosley born in India, in 1957and moved to the United Kingdom when he was 7 years old to study at a boarding school.

Later he studied medicine in London, where he qualified as a doctor, and over the last two decades worked as a presenter, documentary filmmaker, journalist and author.

He was married to Clare Bailey, also a doctor and writer, and had four children: Dan, Alex and Jack.

He was known for his television shows, including “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor” (Believe me, I’m a doctor) and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Just One Thing’ podcast, which explored simple, affordable ways to improve wellbeing and health.

He was also a recurring guest on other BBC programs and other British TV channels.

Saleyha Ahsan, co-host on the show “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor,” described him as a “national treasure” and a man “immensely talented.”

He also praised his “passion for explain science to a wider audience“, adding that it made it “accessible to everyone, not just to a specialized scientific group.”

Mosley was also known for popularizing the 5:2 and Fast 800 diets, which advocate intermittent fasting and low carbohydrate foods.

“He was a brilliant science presenter and programme-maker, able to simplify the most complex topics, but he was also passionate about engaging and entertaining audiences, inspiring us all to live healthier, fuller lives,” said Charlotte Moore, chief content officer. from the BBC.

“His entertaining and accessible style was enjoyed by audiences around the world and he will be greatly missed by many people, including those who were lucky enough to have worked with him at the BBC.”

At BBC Mundo we publish adaptations of several of his articles, which can be found below.

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