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.”
Entertainment
BAFTA Games Awards: Astro Bot tops leaderboard – with psychological horror close behind
Astro Bot was the big winner at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards, taking home five prizes, including the coveted best game.
The 3D platformer, which was launched to critical acclaim in September to mark PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, was nominated for eight gongs, while Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, led with 11 nods.
But in the end, the critics – some of whom had dubbed Astro Bot a “perfect game” – were right as it dominated the awards at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, hosted by comedian Phil Wang for the second year running.
Astro Bot. Pic: Team Asobi
Nicolas Doucet with his five awards for Astro Bot. Pic: PA
BAFTAs for audio achievement, game design, animation, and best family game completed the set for developers Team Asobi, who designed multiple galaxies and dozens of levels for the titular Astro to journey through, retrieving spaceship parts and rescuing lost robots.
“We’re a team based in Japan, but we have over 12 nationalities. We really mix it up and get ideas from everyone,” Nicolas Doucet, president of Team Asobi, told Sky News.
“We do a lot of jokes in the game, but the joke has a different meaning depending on where you are in the world. So it’s really, really nice to go around and ask everyone ‘is that joke fine in your country?’ And then together we come to a kind of universal playfulness.”
Among the gongs for Astro Bot was the best game award. Pic: BAFTA
It’s a very different atmosphere than that generated by British psychological horror Still Wakes The Deep, which won three awards for best new intellectual property and best supporting and leading roles.
Compared to John Carpenter’s 1980 sci-fi horror The Thing but on a Scottish oil rig, the game sees players take on the role of an electrician trapped on a damaged facility while being pursued by monsters.
Still Wakes The Deep. Pic: Sumo Digital Limited
Developer The Chinese Room has been praised for using home-grown talent to voice the characters, including comedian and actress Karen Dunbar, who picked up best performer in a supporting role for voicing Finlay.
“I’ve been nominated for quite a few BAFTAs in my time in Scotland, and I’ve never won one,” said Dunbar.
“It was such a great category, so many great performances. When they shouted my name, I think I started clapping for someone else!”
Read more: See full list of winners
Still Wakes The Deep star Karen Dunbar won best performer in a supporting role. Pic: BAFTA
Meanwhile, best multiplayer game went to Helldivers II – a satirical, sci-fi shooter that sees players fight bugs, aliens and robots with the gumption and gullibility of the characters in Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers.
It has gained a cult following since launching in February 2024 with so much initial interest it created server problems.
“Games for me are about connecting people and forging those bonds of friendship and the multiplayer award is exactly what it stands for,” said Johan Pilestedt, chief executive of Arrowhead Game Studios.
Helldivers II. Pic: Arrowhead/Sony
From outer space to a fictional Yorkshire town called Barnsworth. Thank Goodness You’re Here! – a cartoonish, comedy platformer – won Best British Game. Like Still Wakes The Deep, it has won praise for the authenticity of its actors and setting.
“I think it’s been a real privilege to be able to represent Barnsley on the silver screen,” said Will Todd, who is from the town and one of two game designers behind the project.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! Pic: Coal Supper/Panic Inc
Co-creator James Carbutt added: “Me and Will wrote everything in our tone of voice, quite literally. The further along development we got, the more we lent into it. I think the voices from different parts of the UK and different voices in gaming are super important, and hopefully we’re one of them.”
By the time the BAFTAs wrapped up, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was only handed one of the 11 BAFTAs it was nominated for, technical achievement.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Pic: Ninja Theory
But developers Ninja Theory are already adding this year’s win to a tally of five BAFTAs they were awarded for the first game in the series, which created a protagonist with psychosis by drawing on clinical neuroscience and the experiences of people living with the condition.
Blondie drummer Clem Burke has died at the age of 70
The band said Blurke had been diagnosed with cancer, and described his death as a “profound loss”.
He featured on all the Debbie Harry-fronted group’s studio albums since joining a year after their formation in 1975.
Blurke was with the band from their self-titled debut, through their 1978 classic Parallel Lines, to 2017’s Pollinator.
Drummer Burke.
Pic: Reuters
In a statement on Blondie’s Instagram, Harry and the band’s guitarist, Chris Stein, said: “It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer.
“Clem was not just a drummer, he was the heartbeat of Blondie.
“His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.
“Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie, a self-proclaimed ‘rock and roll survivalist’, he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists.”
Burke in his performance at Festival Estereo Picnic 2023.
Pic: AP
Burke featured on Iggy Pop’s 1982 album Zombie Birdhouse and also performed with Bob Dylan, The Ramones, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Joan Jett.
The statement went on to say Burke had left an “indelible mark on every project he was part of”.
It added: “We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched.”
Burke, who performed on classic tracks such as Call Me, Heart Of Glass and One Way Or Another, made his final live appearance with Blondie last year.
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Blondie performing during Glastonbury Festival in 2023.
Pic: Invision/AP
Among those paying tribute to him was Kinks guitarist Dave Davies, who said: “I feel saddened that Clem Burke was taken from us so soon.
“May he rest in peace, spectacular drumming, we were friends.”
Nancy Sinatra said: “My heart is shattered. Clem became an icon as a member of Blondie, but he was also an important part of my band, the K.A.B. I was blessed to call him my friend.
“If I ever needed him, he was there. Always. Sending healing prayers and comfort to his widow, Ellen, his family, and all who loved him.”
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