Dr Michael Mosley: Tributes pour in for ‘national treasure’ TV doctor, as wife says he ‘so very nearly made it’
Tributes have poured in for “brilliant and utterly charming” TV doctor Michael Mosely, as his wife described him as a “wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband”.
Mosley was last seen on Wednesday, after he went for a walk on his own from Saint Nikolas Beach in the centre of the Greek island of Symi, but he disappeared, triggering a search.
His body was found on Sunday by a camera crew, close to a cave complex beside Agia Marina, around 10m from the sea.
His wife Dr Clare Mosley said she took comfort from the fact “he so very nearly made it”, as tributes poured in for the doctor who made popular the 5:2 diet and championed public health.
‘A wonderfully sweet, kind and gentle man’
A drone shows rescuers transporting the body of the popular TV doctor. Pic: Reuters
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.”
Meanwhile, the BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore said: “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.”
Mosley made regular appearances on Morning Live and The One Show and worked on programmes including Medical Mavericks, Eat Fast Live Longer, Inside Michael Mosley, The Young Ones and Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.
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Who was Michael Mosley?
Tributes poured in from across British television and beyond, with Channel 4, who he also worked with, releasing statements along with Carol Vorderman, Jeremy Vine and more.
TV presenter Kaye Adams, who says she interviewed Michael Mosley “countless times over the years”, said “we really have lost one of the good guys”.
Roy Taylor, a physician and diabetologist who worked with Mosley on tackling type two diabetes, told Sky News: “Michael was a real one-off.”
TV chef Jamie Oliver, like several others, acknowledged the work Mosley did for public health, saying he “changed the conversation around many public health issues for the better”.
“What a wonderfully sweet, kind and gentle man he was,” Oliver added,
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”.
Dr Phil Hammond was one of many who paid tribute to Dr Mosley
Professor Alice Roberts, who also worked with Mosley on a number of programmes, described meeting up with him at Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye just two weeks ago.
She added: “I can’t believe he’s gone. My thoughts are with his bereaved family.”
Mosley’s death was felt outside the world of television as former deputy leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson said it was “hard to describe how upset I am by this news”.
In a statement on X, he said: “Through courageous, science-based journalism, Michael Mosley has helped thousands of people get well and healthy. I’m one of them.
“He was a hero to me. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
After losing about seven stone, Mr Watson said in an interview that Mosley’s The Fast Diet book was part of his weight-loss regime.
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Michael Mosley’s body found in Greece
A number of national newspapers kicked Monday off, leading on the news of Mosley’s death and his wife’s tribute to him.
‘So very nearly made it’
In a touching statement, Mosley’s wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, said it was “devastating” to have lost him but she took comfort from how close to safety he had been when he died.
Read more:
Mosley’s body was found just metres from safety
Who was TV doctor who popularised 5:2 diet?
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She said: “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. 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. We are so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who have worked tirelessly to help find him.
“Some of these people on the island, who hadn’t even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked. We’re also very grateful to the press who have dealt with us with great respect.
“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.
“Thank you all.”
Metropolitan Police is to stop investigating “non-crime hate incidents” to “reduce ambiguity” after prosecutors dropped a case against Graham Linehan.
Linehan, 57, will face no further action after being arrested over his social media posts about transgender people.
The Father Ted and IT Crowd creator said his lawyers had been told the case wouldn’t proceed. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the move.
Linehan, 57, was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence when he landed at Heathrow from his home in the US on 1 September.
The incident drew criticism of the police and government from some politicians and free-speech campaigners.
Met Police said today it would stop investigating “non-crime hate incidents” to “reduce ambiguity” and “provide clearer direction for officers”.
Posting on X, Linehan announced : “After a successful hearing to get my bail conditions lifted (one which the police officer in charge of the case didn’t even bother to attend) the Crown Prosecution Service has dropped the case.
“With the aid of the Free Speech Union, I still aim to hold the police accountable for what is only the latest attempt to silence and suppress gender critical voices on behalf of dangerous and disturbed men.”
The union said it had hired a “top flight team of lawyers to sue the Met for wrongful arrest, among other things”.
“The police need to be taught a lesson that they cannot allow themselves to be continually manipulated by woke activists,” it added.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson confirmed it had reviewed the case file and decided “no further action” would be taken.
Linehan said he had to be taken to hospital on the day of his arrest. Pic: PA
In one of his posts, Linehan wrote: “If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls.”
Another was a photo of a trans-rights protest, with the comment “a photo you can smell”, and a follow-up post saying: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em”.
A Met Police statement after the case was dropped acknowledged “concern” around Linehan’s arrest.
It added: “The commissioner has been clear he doesn’t believe officers should be policing toxic culture war debates, with current laws and rules on inciting violence online leaving them in an impossible position.
“As a result, the Met will no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents.
“We believe this will provide clearer direction for officers, reduce ambiguity and enable them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations.”
Linehan said on his blog that he was arrested by five armed officers and had to go to A&E after his blood pressure reached “stroke territory” during his interrogation.
Police said the officers’ guns were never drawn and were only present as Linehan was detained by the aviation unit, which routinely carries firearms.
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JK Rowling, who’s regularly shared her views on women’s rights in relation to transgender rights, was among those who had criticised the arrest, calling it “utterly deplorable”.
Reform’s Nigel Farage, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, and ex-foreign secretary Sir James Cleverly also hit out at the treatment of Linehan.
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The son of former England footballer Stuart Pearce has died in a crash, his family has said.
Harley Pearce, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, was driving a tractor near Witcombe, Gloucestershire, on Thursday, when he was involved in a collision, police said.
The 21-year-old farming worker died at the scene, on the A417 Old Birdlip Hill in Witcombe, around five miles from Gloucester.
No other vehicles were involved, Gloucestershire Constabulary said. Emergency services were called to the scene of the incident at about 2.30pm on October 16.
Stuart Pearce at last year’s FA Cup Final at Wembley. Pic: PA
Harley Pearce was 21 and worked in farming, according to reports.
‘Our shining star’
In a tribute posted on Facebook, Harley sister, Chelsea Pearce, said the family was “truly shocked and utterly heartbroken at the loss of our cherished son and devoted brother, Harley”.
He was, the family said, was a soul “who left an unforgettable imprint on all who knew him”.
“He was a golden boy with an infectious smile, and this shocking tragedy will leave a huge hole in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known him.”
He had “a quiet, understated strength and deep kindness”.
The family said they were “so proud of the young man he had become, exhibiting a wonderful work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit in the farming industry.
“He will always be our shining star. Rest in Peace, our beautiful son and brother. You will never, ever be forgotten.”
What have police said?
Harley ran his own company, Harley Pearce Agricultural Service, talkSPORT said.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said on Thursday: “The driver of the tractor, a man in his 20s and from Wiltshire, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next of kin are aware and being supported by specially trained officers.”
The force is appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them.
‘Tragic news’
Harley’s father, Stuart Pearce, played 78 times for England and was part of the Three Lions squads which reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96, the FA said on its website.
He was later the head coach of the England Under-21s.
During a long club career, he made more than 400 appearances for Nottingham Forest, many of them as captain, during a 12-year spell at the City Ground.
He later managed the club, as well as another former club, Manchester City.
Pearce currently works as a pundit on talkSPORT, which said on its website that Harley and Chelsea were the two children he had with his ex-wife Liz.
Presenter Jim White said during a broadcast on Monday that “everybody here on this show and at talkSPORT sends our heartfelt condolences to the family of Stuart Pearce after that tragic news we’ve just heard”.
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Several of the clubs he played for posted tributes on X, including Forest, who said they were “deeply saddened”.
The club said: “The thoughts of everyone connected with Nottingham Forest are with Stuart and his family at this truly difficult time.”
West Ham United said: “We are saddened to hear of Harley Pearce’s passing.
“Everyone at the Club sends their deepest condolences to Stuart and his family at this tragic time.”
Manchester City said: “Everyone at Manchester City sends their love and thoughts to Stuart and his family at this very difficult time.”
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