Tim Spector pays tribute to 'generous and positive' Dr Michael Mosley after tragic death

Tim Spector has paid a poignant tribute to the late Michael Mosley after he was found dead on the Greek island of Symi.

The TV doctor, 67, had gone missing last Wednesday after he left his wife and friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday.

A four-day search party ended in tragedy after he was discovered on June 5.

An initial examination by a coroner has ruled out foul play but further tests are due to be carried out on the father-of-four in Rhodes to confirm a cause of death.

Tributes for the This Morning star flooded in following the sad news, with friend Professor Tim Spector penning a touching tribute online. The epidemiologist and medical doctor reflected on the first time he met Mosley: "I first met @michaelmosley_official about 20 years ago when he interviewed me for a TV documentary.

"What struck me then and has continued to amaze me throughout our friendship was his insatiable appetite to learn and use this knowledge to empower people to improve their health. His bestseller, the Fast Diet helped thousands of people with Type 2 diabetes come off their drugs and realise the vital importance of food and exercise but really that was just the start.

He continued: "His endless scientific curiosity made him special and when we saw each other just last week he was telling me all about his plans for his next big project he could share with the public, he had so much more to do. Michael was a warm-hearted and committed friend. He was immensely proud of his four children and they were a close family that will be devastated he left them so soon.

"What I will miss most about Michael is not just his friendship and generosity but his amazing positivity, he could always find “just one thing” to improve any situation. It’s an incredible legacy. We will miss you, Michael." The wife of the TV and radio presenter also paid a poignant tribute to her late husband, describing him as 'wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant'.

His wife Dr Clare Bailey Mosley said it was "devastating" in a statement confirming his death. Dr Bailey Mosley said: "We had an incredibly lucky life together.

"We loved each other very much and were so happy together." She said she was incredibly proud of her children and had been "hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people around the world".

Charlotte Moore, the BBC's chief content officer also paid tribute, she wrote: "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."

Mr Mosley was an advocate for intermittent fasting through the 5:2 diet and The Fast 800 diet. He shared four children with his wife Clare, who wrote the recipe book Fast 800 Easy.

The couple, who have hosted theatre show tours together, recently attended the Hay Festival, where Mosley presented a special edition of his Radio 4 series and podcast Just One Thing.

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