A body has been found in the search for Dr Michael Mosley after he went missing on the Greek island of Symi.
The body, which has not yet been identified, was found with an umbrella close to caves known as The Abyss five days after the doctor had gone missing. Rescuers had yesterday began focusing on the area.
British journalists and a hospitality worker were the first to see the body. It was discovered beneath a fence that runs around the bar on Agia Marina beach on the Greek island.
The hospitality worker has been identified by the Express as Greek barman Ilias Tsavaris.
Police said the body is believed to be that of the missing British TV presenter. A police spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of an ongoing investigation, said the discovery was made on a rocky coast by a private boat and that formal identification was pending.
The news of the tragic find comes after a massive search and rescue effort to find the BBC and ITV This Morning star was launched last Thursday morning. Dr Mosley was last seen on St Nicholas Beach, Symi, with his wife and another couple when he decided to leave alone at around 1.30pm on Wednesday.
A statement from the deputy Mayor, Ilias Haskas, said: “During our research, and as we were approaching a cave next to the Agia Marina beach, we were shooting along the coastline with cameras. We saw an object next to a fence on the beach and when we zoomed in we realised that it was Michael Mosley’s body. He had probably fallen from a short cliff of about 10 metres.”
Although the body has not been identified as Dr Michael Mosley, celebrities have paid tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter. Piers Morgan wrote: “Body found in search for TV doctor Michael Mosley on Greek island of Symi. Very sad development.”
While Julia Hartley-Brewer: “This is very sad news. I interviewed Michael Mosley a few times about his Fast800 diet and he was an absolutely lovely man. My condolences to his family.”
Discussing his last movements, Constantina Dimoglidou, senior spokesperson for the Greek police, said: “He was at the beach of Ag. Nikolas with another couple when he decided to go back to his home in the area of Pedi of Symi. It was around 1.30pm. Any and every attempt to track him down has not produced any result.
“We have now asked the fire brigade to assist in the operation in the case that he may have slipped, tripped, fallen, even bitten by a snake, remaining injured somewhere. There is just no trace of him. None whatsoever and that means that for us at least, every potential scenario is open and being investigated.”
Dr Mosley had earlier that day left his phone in the couple’s apartment.
The search effort has been widespread, operating in dangerous conditions and high temperatures, and has included police, firefighters with drones, Greek Red Cross workers, divers, a search dog and a helicopter.
CCTV footage of the doctor was released yesterday showing his last seen movements.
Dr Mosley’s four children joined his wife in the search. Clare Mosley described the situation as “unbearable” in an emotional statement.
She said: “It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk. The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children.”
The 67-year-old broadcaster did the Channel 4 show Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat? and was part of the BBC series Trust Me, I’m A Doctor.
He also lived with tapeworms in his guts for six weeks for the documentary Infested! Living With Parasites on BBC Four.
Mosley has been given an Emmy nod for BBC science documentary The Human Face, presented by John Cleese and featuring a raft of human faces including Elizabeth Hurley, Pierce Brosnan, and David Attenborough.
He also advocated for intermittent fasting through the 5:2 diet and The Fast 800 diet.
Mosley has four children with his wife Clare Bailey Mosley, who is also a doctor, author, and health columnist, who wrote the recipe book Fast 800 Easy.
The couple have hosted theatre show tours together and recently attended the Hay Festival where Mosley presented a special edition of his Radio 4 series and podcast Just One Thing.
More to follow…
