Vale: Michael Mosley

TV presenter Michael Mosley, best known for Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, has died aged 67.

Mosley left Agios Nikolaos beach on the Greek island of Symi to go for a walk at 13:30 local time on Wednesday. Less than half an hour later, he was seen about a mile away in the town of Pedi. A search ended in the early hours of Sunday when his body was discovered beside Agia Marina beach, around 1.5 miles outside of the town. He collapsed in 40°C heat, after apparently having lost his way.

“I don’t know quite where to begin with this. It’s devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together,” wife Clare Bailey Mosley said in a statement.

“I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the past days.

“My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. It’s clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you.

“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.”

Mosely studied PPE at Oxford and then became an investment banker, before he retrained as a doctor. After studying medicine at the Royal Free Hospital in London and qualifying as a doctor he realised  this wasn’t really the industry for him either!

He joined the BBC as a trainee assistant producer and over the ensuing 25 years has made numerous science and history documentaries for the BBC, first behind the camera and more recently as a presenter.

He was executive producer of QED, Trust Me I’m a Doctor and Superhuman. As a presenter he has made a dozen series including Medical Mavericks, Blood and Guts, Inside Michael Mosley, Science Story, The Young Ones, Inside the Human Body, Eat, Fast Live Longer, The Truth about Exercise, Pain, Pus & Poison, The Genius of Invention and Trust Me I’m a Doctor.

He devised and executive-produced three of the most popular science and history programmes of the last decade: Pompeii: The Last Day, Supervolcano and Krakatoa.

Following the extraordinary interest in and success of Eat, Fast & Live Longer Mosley co-authored a book called The Fast Diet with  journalist Mimi Spencer and The 8-week Blood Sugar Diet which become international bestsellers.

He has won numerous awards, including being named Medical Journalist of the Year by the British Medical Association in 1995.

Mosley has featured heavily on SBS in Australia, including his final series Australia’s Sleep Revolution with Dr. Michael Mosley filmed by Artemis Media, which screened earlier this year.

SBS said in a statement, “SBS is shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Dr Michael Mosley’s passing.

“His work with SBS was not only ground-breaking but also a true reflection of his dedication and passion to health and science and commitment to affecting real change that improves the health of many Australians.

“His contributions to his field and his remarkable work with SBS and many others in the industry, touched countless lives and brought vital health information to the forefront.

“Collaborating with Dr. Mosley on Australia’s Health Revolution and Australia’s  Sleep Revolution was an extraordinary privilege; his generosity, warmth, and willingness to share his knowledge has made a lasting impact on all of us.

“SBS passes on its deepest sympathies to his family, friends and all who loved him.”

Celia Tait CEO of Artemis Media said, “We are so shocked and sad at the tragic news of Michael Mosely.

”Michael was one of the few people in the TV world who had an energy, spirit and intelligence that reached millions of people around the globe, affecting real change in their lives. We feel privileged to have worked with him over many years. The TV series we made together helped to amplify the health messages he was so excited to share – and to effect changes in Australia. Collaborating with top scientists,  he shared cutting edge health advice, and through his own demonstrations, he encouraged all of to change our views and habits, and take more control of our own health.

“We will miss his wit, wonderful laugh, energy and ideas.

”His legacy will live on – and on.

“Our thoughts are with Clare and the Mosely young. We hope they can take some comfort in knowing just how much Michael inspired people around the globe .”

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer said, “We are deeply saddened about the news of Dr Michael Mosley and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.

“Michael worked closely with BBC Radio 4 and the BBC Studios Science Unit for many years on groundbreaking science and health programmes from Medical Mavericks, Eat Fast Live Longer, Inside Michael Mosley and The Young Ones, to Trust me I’m a Doctor.

“He also made regular appearances on Morning Live and The One Show, and of course presented his own hugely popular and successful BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds podcast Just One Thing.

“He was a brilliant science broadcaster and programme maker, able to make the most complex subjects simple, but he was also passionate about engaging and entertaining audiences, inspiring us all to live a healthier, fuller life.

“His entertaining and accessible style was enjoyed by audiences around the world and he will be hugely missed by many people not least those fortunate enough to have worked with him at the BBC.”