Dr Clare Bailey Mosley released a heartfelt statement on Sunday confirming the death of her husband, This Morning medical expert Dr Michael Mosley, after a body was found in the search for the TV doctor.
The emotional message, which paid tribute to her late husband, began: "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."
It went on: "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."
© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock"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."
What happened to Dr Michael Mosley?
The couple were enjoying a holiday on the Greek island of Symi until the doctor went missing on Wednesday after going for a walk and failing to return.
Earlier on Sunday, a body was found in a cave on Symi, the deputy mayor said, but had not been formally identified.
CCTV images of Dr Michael Mosley suggested that he made it to the village of Pedi following his walk. The footage shows someone, believed to be the broadcaster, holding an umbrella roughly 20 minutes after he left the beach. According to the Daily Mail, the search was ramped up with twenty-five police officers and firefighters as well as a specialist dog unit and a helicopter search.
Speaking to the BBC, the Mayor Eleftherios Papakalodoukas said: "It is a very small, controlled area, full of people. So, if something happened to him there, we would have found him by now."
A local coffee shop owner added: "It's a quiet place... if you see the map of the area it's a clear path, it's nothing dangerous, many people go every day, every few minutes, that's the reason it's very strange because it's a clear path."
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockTwenty-five police officers and firefighters used drones and a specialist dog unit to scour the island, which is part of the Dodecanese island chain and is about 25 miles north of Rhodes. Local officials described the temperature on the island as "unbearable" on the day the medical expert went missing.
Celebrity messages of concern
As the news that he was missing became public, many of Dr Mosley's friends and colleagues on shows including This Morning and The One Show took to social media to discuss the very worrying situation, with financial journalist Martin Lewis calling it "troubling," adding: "I hope he's okay."
Jeremy Vine added: "I'm praying this lovely man is found and thinking of Clare and the whole Mosley family," while fellow TV doctor Dr Saleyha Ahsan wrote: "I literally feel sick with worry. Don't even know what to say."
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockThe early search
A local Facebook group shared a photo of Michael asking for help and assistance, with the post reading: “Have you seen this man? He set off to walk back from St Nick’s at about 13.30 and failed to make it home. His friends are concerned as it is six hours since they last saw him. His name is Dr Mike Mosley and he is a familiar face for many British people.”
The post included several updates, including news that the search and rescue team was coming from Athen with drones and sophisticated equipment. It added: “Thank you for your good wishes. I will let you know when he has been found.”
The post included a photo of the Doctor wearing a blue shirt and shorts with a blue cap. Via the post, locals were quick to share advice, with one writing: “It's hot, he might have fainted on the way - has someone checked the cliffs where they meet the sea?” The author replied: “His wife and friend had a look this evening but it is difficult to see without a boat.” His agent then confirmed that a search was underway for Dr Mosley.
Where is Symi?
Symi is part of the Dodecanese islands, the closest airport being Rhodes International Airport Diagoras. It has a mountainous range, is in the Aegean Sea and has around 2,580 inhabitants.
© REDA&COIt is a popular tourism spot in the summer thanks to its isolated beaches that can often only be reached via boat. It has very colourful architecture, with a beautiful port.
