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Tragic Dr Michael Mosley said he didn’t want to die ‘early’ like his father in heartbreaking final interview
Dr Mosley's own diets helped change his diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
DR Michael Mosley said he didn't want to die "early" like his dad in a heart-wrenching final interview before his death last week in Greece.
The health guru, 67, said his passion for all things nutrition and adventure was partly sparked by his own dad who passed away aged 74.
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Dr Mosley told the Telegraph in April that his dad Bill "hadn't seen his grandkids grow up", adding "that's not a road I want to go down".
His father was diagnosed with diabetes in his 50s, which Dr Mosley himself later suffered from.
The BBC star, who had four kids of his own, died on the Greek island of Symi last Wednesday after getting lost on a walk in 40C heat.
Known for popularising the 5:2 diet and for his appearances on The One Show and This Morning, Dr Mosley was described by his wife Clare as "adventurous" after his body was found on Sunday.
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In what now appears to be his last interview, Dr Mosley said: "My dad, when he retired, basically sat on the sofa and watched sport and that was incredibly bad for him.
“And my dad died at the age of 74, from complications of diabetes. I shouldn’t have been shocked, but I was.
"I had seen what had happened to my father. He hadn’t seen his grandkids grow up. I thought that’s not a road I want to go down."
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes himself in 2012, the TV doc changed his diet and went on to inspire countless others to do the same.
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He said: "When my GP told me I should start medication, it shouldn't have been a shock, because my dad had developed diabetes around the same age."
The health wizz also told the Telegraph he refused to retire as many of his friends had done, choosing instead to continue working in the medical field.
He said: "I'm 67 and a lot of my mates are now retired.
"I am quite happy to go on writing and giving public speeches and making telly and podcasts."
Keeping in touch with other friends who were doctors, alongside one of his sons - also a doctor - helped him stay in the field.
The beloved dad and husband said his wife of forty years and collaborator, Dr Clare Mosley, also had no intention to retire.
Clare confirmed his death on Sunday, several hours after his body was found following an "unbearable" five-day search.
His wife described how he "nearly made it" after he took a "wrong turn" on the island, in Pedi town.
The columnist had left his wife and two friends at Saint Nikolas beach across the bay earlier that afternoon and later tried make his way down to Agia Marina after getting lost in the hills for almost two hours.
Grainy video showed the TV doc making his way down towards the wall between the hills and beach before sinking to the ground in the spot where his body was found.
Having left his phone at home that morning, Dr Mosley had previously spoken out about the benefits of being "present in the moment" without them.
Tributes have poured in for the late doctor, including from friends, family and co-stars.
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His wife 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.
"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.
"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."
Former This Morning panelist and TALK presenter Julia Hartley Brewer was one of the first to pay tribute to the TV doctor.
She wrote: "This is very sad news."
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Before adding: "I interviewed Michael Mosley a few times about his Fast800 diet and he was an absolutely lovely man. My condolences to his family."
TV chef Jamie Oliver, 49, called the news “absolutely devastating” and described him as a “wonderfully sweet, kind and gentle man”.
Timeline of Dr Mosley's disappearance
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5
- 1.30pm: Dr Mosley decides to walk home alone to his holiday home in the town of Symi after going for a swim at a beach
- 1.50pm: The walk home is said to take around 20 minutes from Saint Nikolaos beach despite the doctor never making it back
- 1.52pm: CCTV catches Dr Mosley walking past a shop in Pedi
- Approx 2.20pm: Witnesses claim to have seen Dr Mosley talking to an elderly man in the town with one other person present
- 2.30pm-5pm: Doc was last seen on a house camera on a treacherous path heading towards the Agia Marina
- 7.30pm: Dr Mosley's wife, Dr Clare Bailey, raises the alarm and calls cops
THURSDAY JUNE 6
- 10.30am: Police file missing person report and the search gets underway
- 11am: Police appeal for any information
- 2pm: Six firefighters, a vehicle and a drone team were all seen arriving in Symi from Rhodes
- 7pm: Helicopters deployed over the island
- 8pm: First day of the search called off for the night
FRIDAY JUNE 7
- 7am Extra police squadrons, coast guard officials, specially-trained sniffer dogs and military helicopters helped in the search
- 5pm The first CCTV images are released of Dr Mosley with his umbrella near the Blue Corner bar
SATURDAY JUNE 8
- 7am Police launch a search of a new area of around 7km as they step up the hunt
- 10.50am: New CCTV is released showing Mosley leaving Pedi and heading towards mountainous path
- 11am Symi's mayor says 'no chance' search will be called off until he is found
- 12pm Mosley's wife Clare says the family will 'not lose hope' but confesses the last few days have been 'unbearable'
- 3pm A helicopter joins the search effort in the mountains
SUNDAY JUNE 9
- 10.50am Body found in the search close to caves known as 'The Abyss'
- 11am Police say they believe the body to be that of Dr Mosley
- 2.50pm Body removed by boat from Symi
- 3.30pm Dr Clare Bailey confirms her 'wonderful' husband's death
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