The body of Dr. Michael Mosley, a well-known British TV presenter and author, was found on the Greek island of Symi on Sunday morning after a days-long search. Mosley, who went missing on Wednesday afternoon while on a hike, was spotted among rocks on a rugged stretch of coast by a group on a boat that included the local mayor and journalists.
According to Mosley’s wife, Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley, her husband had taken the wrong route on the hike and collapsed just short of reaching a marina in a place where his body was not easily visible. She described her husband as an adventurous man and expressed her devastation at the loss of her “wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant” partner.
Mosley, 67, was a familiar face in Britain, known for his numerous programs on the BBC, regular television and radio appearances, and his column in the Daily Mail newspaper. He gained international recognition for his 2013 book “The Fast Diet,” which he co-authored with journalist Mimi Spencer. The book introduced the “5:2 diet,” a rapid weight loss program that promised quick results by minimizing calorie intake two days a week while eating healthily on the other five.
Tributes poured in for Mosley even before his body was formally identified. His co-author Spencer described him as immediately likeable, genuinely funny, and enthusiastic about life. Tom Watson, former deputy leader of Britain’s Labour Party, called Mosley a hero and credited him with helping him lose nearly 100 pounds following one of the doctor’s diet books.
Dr. Saleyha Ahsan, who co-hosted “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor” with Mosley, praised his talent for putting people at ease and explaining science to a general audience. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver also commended Mosley’s research and TV shows, noting their positive impact on public health conversations.
Clare Bailey Mosley expressed gratitude to the people of Symi for their tireless efforts in searching for her husband, even those who had never heard of him. She also thanked the many people from around the world who had reached out with messages of love and support.
Lefteris Papakalodoukas, the island’s mayor, recounted how he and a group of journalists spotted Mosley’s body while on a boat. Ilias Tsavaris, a bar manager at the marina, confirmed the sighting after climbing up the hillside. Police officers retrieved Mosley’s body, with one officer falling on the slope and requiring medical attention. The body will be taken to the nearby island of Rhodes for an autopsy.
Mosley is survived by his wife and their four children.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.