DR Michael Mosley's wife has tragically confirmed her "brilliant" and "wonderful" husband has been found dead on the Greek island of Symi.
Clare Bailey said she was "devastated" by today's discovery that brought an end to an gruelling five-day search, but said: "I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael."
A body was discovered this morning in rocky, barren land close to a beach bar and only a 30 minute walk from the village of Pedi, where Michael, 67, was last spotted on CCTV.
Clare, 62, who has been married to TV doctor Michael for nearly 40 years, has now confirmed the body belonged to her husband.
Before today's discovery, the mum-of-four told the world she wouldn't "lose hope" after her husband waved goodbye to her before seemingly vanishing on the Greek island of Symi on Wednesday.
Two New York cops stabbed during celebrations in Times Square
The health expert's disappearance sparked a major five-day search operation involving helicopters, divers, dogs, and drones and most of the tiny island's 2,600 population.
In a heartbreaking statement shared with The Sun today, Clare thanked all those who had helped in the search for Michael, who was beloved by fans for his hit podcast and health advice.
She 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.
He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldn’t be easily seen
Dr Clare Bailey
"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.
"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.
It comes as:
- Dr Michael Mosley's wife Clare Bailey confirmed the TV star had been found dead on the Greek island of Symi
- His remains were discovered by a barman behind a fence in the Agia Marina area
- The BBC star is believed to have taken a wrong turn while on a walk and ended up on a long mountainous trek
- Dr Mosley vanished on Wednesday while on holiday with pals and his wife Clare
- He was last seen on CCTV in the village of Pedi
- His children Alexander, Jack, Daniel and Katherine had flown out to Symi to join the search
- This Morning stars led celeb tributes to the popular health guru
"Michael was an adventurous man, it’s part of what made him so special.
At least nine killed after New Year's Day stampede at shopping centre
"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."
The pair, who share four children, met at medical school and have been together for the 44 years ever since.
Tragically, Michael's body was found just 100 yards from the path between Agia Marina and Symi Town that rescuers took to retrace his possible last steps.
His body was roughly only 100 yards away from the beach and close to a dangerous cave complex known to locals as "The Abyss".
Police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglou told The Sun earlier today: "He was found close to a cave. How long he had survived there is hard to tell but he had walked a very long way.
"He was close to where he wanted to get to."
The Brit presenter, known for his appearances on The One Show and This Morning, was last seen in CCTV footage at 2pm on Wednesday leaving the village of Pedi and headed towards a rocky path.
The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodouk added: "We analysed the recorded evidence and it was obvious that it was, unfortunately, Mosley."
The mayor said he was on a boat when he spotted a body lying 20m above the Agia Marina beach and called a nearby bar to have a look.
"We zoomed with the cameras and saw it was him," he said.
Ilias Tsavaris, 38, the barman who first discovered Michael's body on the rocky ground, told The Sun: "I walked up 30 metres and I saw an image of a person...
"I went closer and closer...And then I saw what I saw.
"You don't see a dead body everyday, it is not a warzone, it's summer you are supposed to have fun and swimming."
Michael is believed to have taken a fatal wrong turn on a walk after leaving Clare at 1.30pm on Wednesday to walk inland.
All he had with him was an umbrella, his watch, rucksack, wallet and a bottle of water.
His body remained undiscovered until Sunday morning.
It was later removed at 2.50pm after officials, including forensic teams and firefighters, had combed over the area.
They were seen looking into a rucksack near the body before it was taken away and sent on a boat believed to be headed for Rhodes.
Mayor Papakalodoukas told Sky News there were no signs of injury on the body.
A police offer at the scene suffered a suspected broken leg after he fell off the wall while assisting with the body and had to be taken away on a stretcher.
'UNBEARABLE DAYS'
On Saturday, Clare spoke out for the first time to describe the search for her missing husband "as the longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children".
In an emotional statement, she said: “It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk.
"The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children.
“The search is ongoing and our family are so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities and the British Consulate who are working tirelessly to help find Michael.
“We will not lose hope.”
The pair met at medical school and have been together for 44 years ever since.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Dr Michael Mosley left Saint Nikolas beach on Wednesday at 1.30pm, where he had been with his wife Clare and two friends.
He is believed to have then walked alone along a coastal path without his mobile phone to Pedi.
He was caught on CCTV in the fishing village at 1.52pm close to a cafe in Pedi shielding himself underneath an umbrella.
Further CCTV, released to the public on Saturday, showed him then leaving Pedi and heading towards a rocky path in blazing temperatures of up to 37C.
Rescuers say he was likely heading back to their holiday accommodation in Symi town when he took a wrong turn while leaving the village of Pedi.
He was initially feared by cops to have "fallen from a height" as he walked the coastal path from the beach to Pedi, however CCTV footage confirmed he made it safely.
Michael is then understood to have headed northeast - ending up on a long and hard trek in rocky, difficult and barren landscape beneath a scorching sun.
Search teams and the mayor both told The Sun the walking route can be incredibly “dangerous” and “treacherous” with no shade.
Mayor Papakalodouka added that Mosley had no water, stating: “You can’t survive in this weather.”
Police on Friday night shifted their search away from the water and into the mountains where they worked around-the-clock to comb through the barren land.
The search continued on Saturday, with at least 100 rescuers and volunteers - including Michael's adult children - focused on Agia Marina.
Michael's body was not found until Sunday morning, which revealed he had managed to reach Agia Marina.
But tragically, just a few dozen metres from safety he seemingly collapsed behind a beach bar near a fence.
