This week we mourn the tragic loss of British broadcaster and author Dr Michael Mosley, and pay respect to the man who inspired millions of people around the world to lead a healthier and fuller life.
Dr Mosley died at the age of 67 after a tragic accident in the Greek Island of Symi whilst on holiday with his wife and friends.
He was a pioneer in the field of health journalism and science communication. He was best known for his popular BBC documentaries, books and podcasts, where he explored topics such as intermittent fasting, gut health, exercise, sleep and mental wellbeing.
Born in Kolkata, India, to a banker father and an art teacher mother, Mosley grew up in different countries and developed a curiosity about the world. He studied medicine at Oxford University, but decided not to pursue a clinical career and instead joined the BBC as a trainee producer in 1985.
He soon became a successful reporter and presenter, working on programmes such as Horizon, The One Show, Trust Me I’m a Doctor and Inside the Human Body. He had a knack for explaining complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible way, often using himself as a guinea pig for experiments and interventions.
Mosley was not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and question established medical advice. He was one of the first to popularise the idea of intermittent fasting, which he claimed could help people lose weight, improve their health and live longer. He followed the 5:2 diet, where he ate normally for five days a week and restricted his calories to 600 for two days. He wrote a best-selling book on the topic, The Fast Diet, and later developed other variations, such as the Fast 800 and the Fast 10.
The Carousel health expert Jaymes Gleeson exclusively interviewed Dr Mosley in 2021 and he spoke for more than an hour about the benefits of intermittent fasting and gave practical health advice.
More recently, Mosley advocated for the importance of gut health and the role of the microbiome in influencing various aspects of our health, from immunity to mood. He experimented with different diets, probiotics and fecal transplants to test their effects on his own gut bacteria. He shared his findings and recommendations in his book The Clever Guts Diet and his podcast Just One Thing.
Mosley was passionate about helping people improve their lifestyle and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. He created the Blood Sugar Diet, which aimed to reverse type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes through a low-carb, Mediterranean-style eating plan. He also promoted the benefits of regular physical activity, especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which he said could boost fitness and metabolism in a short time. He demonstrated this by doing a HIIT workout on a busy street in London, wearing a suit and a microphone, for his documentary The Truth About Exercise.
Mosley was not only interested in physical health, but also in mental and emotional wellbeing. He explored the science of happiness, stress, anxiety and depression, and offered practical tips and tools to cope with them. He also delved into the mysteries of the brain, memory, intelligence and creativity, and revealed how they could be enhanced or preserved. He was fascinated by the power of the placebo effect and hypnosis, and how they could be harnessed to heal and transform.
He was a prolific and versatile author, writing more than 20 books on various aspects of health and science. He also collaborated with his wife, Dr Clare Bailey, a GP and nutritionist, on several cookbooks that complemented his dietary approaches.
He was a popular and respected figure in the media and the public, winning several awards and accolades for his work. He was praised for his honesty, humour, enthusiasm and compassion. He inspired millions of people to take charge of their own health and wellbeing, and to embrace science and evidence as a guide.
He is survived by his wife and four children, who said he was a loving and devoted husband and father. They also said he was a “wonderful communicator” who “touched the lives of countless people”.
Tributes For Dr Michael Mosley
Dr Clare Bailey Mosley
“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 from people around the world. It’s clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you. We’ve taken 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 find him. Some of these people on the island, who hadn’t 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 had this life with Michael. Thank you all.”
Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer
“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.”
Professor Brian Cox said Dr Mosley was a “mentor” to other science presenters.
Sophie Laurimore, director of The Soho Agency which represented Dr Mosley, said he was a “wise, wonderful and lovely man”.
“He was immensely grateful for how receptive the public were to the ideas he had the privilege to share and to the many scientists whose work he had the honour to help popularise. Michael was unique.”
