TV doctor found dead after five-day Greek island search

Michael Mosley, presenter who revolutionised British diets, is hailed as a ‘national treasure’ who helped many thousands

- ANDY GREGORY

Dr Michael Mosley, the author and presenter who revolutionised the way Britain is fighting the obesity crisis, has been found dead after a five-day search on a Greek island, his wife has said.

A major search effort was launched to find the esteemed BBC Radio 4 and This Morning presenter on Wednesday after he disappeared while holidaying on the Greek island of Symi.

The 67-year-old, who helped popularise the 5:2 diet, left his wife and friends on Saint Nikolas beach at 1.30pm to walk back to their house in searing heat, with an umbrella but no mobile phone. He was seen on CCTV in the village of Pedi 30 minutes later, shortly before entering a treacherous mountain path.

After extensive searches involving helicopters, dogs and drones, Dr Mosley’s body was eventually discovered yesterday morning after being spotted by a television camera crew from a boat carrying the island’s mayor. His body was found just metres from the shoreline, by the perimeter fence separating the Agia Marina resort from the surrounding wilderness, in an area said to have been searched many times in recent days situated near a network of tunnels known locally as “The Abyss”.

Confirming the death of her “wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband”, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley said: “We’re taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it. He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldn’t be easily seen by the extensive search team.

“Michael was an adventurous man, it’s part of what made him so special ... I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends. Most of all, I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael.”