With the sad news that TV Doctor Michael Mosley has been found dead after disappearing during a holiday on the Greek island of Symi, we look back at the life and career of the respected celebrity doctor, broadcaster and writer.
Born in Calcutta, India in 1957, Dr Michael Mosley studied medicine in London but moved into TV production and for the last two decades worked as a presenter, documentary maker, journalist and author. His documentary The Truth About Exercise, first broadcast in 2012, highlighted how different patterns of exercise might help achieve health benefits, and he was known for TV programmes including Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, for BBC Radio 4’s Just One Thing podcast, for numerous TV appearances and for the column he wrote for the Daily Mail.
Dr Mosley advocated intermittent fasting diets, including the 5:2 diet and The Fast 800 diet, and wrote books about ketogenic diets. In early 2013 his book The Fast Diet, written with Mimi Spencer, was published by Short Books.
In 2021 he Mosley presented a three-part series, Lose a Stone in 21 Days, for Channel 4, with his advice being criticised by some medical experts.
In 2017, Mosley was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Edinburgh.
Missing
Dr Michael Mosley was married to Clare Bailey Mosley, who was a GP until 2022; they had met at the Royal Free Hospital Medical School and had four children.
He was reported missing after he left Agios Nikolaos beach to set off on a walk at about 13:30 local time (11:30 BST) on Wednesday 5th June. Greek authorities conducted an extensive search for Dr Mosley amid high temperatures. His body was found on Sunday as teams were searching the coastline. A police source told BBC News that the deceased had been dead “for a number of days”, and CCTV footage found subsequently appears to show him disappearing from view as he makes his way down a hillside close to where his body was found, the BBC has been told.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place as it is understood the coroner could not determine from the outset whether Dr Mosley had fallen, because of the condition of the body.
Dr Mosley’s wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, on Sunday paid tribute to her “wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant” husband after the “devastating” news his body had been found.
Dr Mosley’s co-presenter on Trust Me, I’m A Doctor, Dr Saleyha Ahsan, described him as “a national treasure” as the BBC, who he was known for working for, said he would be “hugely missed”.
Dr Ahsan told Sky News: “He had this talent to engage. It wasn’t just the celebrity status, it was because there was trust. He lived and breathed his work. He was an inspiration. I hate even saying ‘was’ – is an inspiration.”
Speaking to Sky News, Phil Hammond, who worked on the BBC2 series Trust Me I’m A Doctor with Mosley, said he still “can’t quite believe he’s gone”.
The BBC has confirmed two special programmes for TV and Radio on Friday 14 June 2024, remembering Michael Mosley.
Michael Mosley – The Doctor Who Changed Britain
BBC One and iPlayer, Friday 8pm
Michael Mosley transformed the lives of millions of people. In this programme for BBC One and iPlayer we look back at an extraordinary broadcasting career which spanned almost 40 years.
Fronting series such as Trust Me I’m a Doctor and the hit podcast Just One Thing, Michael used his warm, often funny approach to deliver important, life-changing health messages.
He started behind the scenes, as an award-winning science journalist and producer, before becoming a much-loved presenter. His programmes have made a lasting impact on the nation’s health habits from intermittent fasting to the benefits of a cold shower.
Michael also shared his own struggles with audiences world-wide; as a chronic insomniac he made programmes about sleep and, ever curious, he would also go to extremes in the pursuit of science, even infecting himself with a tapeworm. Celebrating Michael’s career, this programme marks the enormous impact he made, touching the lives of so many.
There’s Only One Michael Mosley
BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, Friday 11am
The last interview Michael conducted took place in the BBC tent as part of the Hay Festival on Saturday May 25 2024. In the interview How To Live A Good Life with Professor Paul Bloom for BBC Radio 4, Michael sets out to explore the latest studies on how to make the best of the life we have and comes up with Just One Thing we can all put into practise.
The interview sees Michael at his best, full of warmth, insight and thoroughly enjoying his time with the audience.
Professor Bloom is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale and Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto. The recording will be introduced by Chris van Tulleken.
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