Mosley 'took wrong route and collapsed' after climb on Greek island, says wife

The wife of the TV presenter Michael Mosley confirmed yesterday the "devastating" news that her husband had been found dead on the Greek island of Symi.

- Helena Smith, Alexandra Topping

Dr Clare Bailey said she and the couple's four children took comfort in the fact that he had almost "made it", after his body was found close to a coastal resort yesterday.

"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."

Mosley made a number of documentaries about diet and exercise, including the Channel 4 show Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat? He was credited with the rising popularity of the 5:2 diet, which involves fasting for two days a week. The British Medical Association named him medical journalist of the year in 1995.

Mosley, 67, went missing after going for a walk on Wednesday, leading to a five-day search. Confirming he had been found, Bailey said she did not "know quite where to begin". In a statement, she said: "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."

Bailey, who met Mosley at medical school, said she was "incredibly proud" of the couple's children and of their resilience and support.

"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," she said.