Michael Mosley's wife pays tribute to him before 'poignant' final show

The medic and broadcaster passed away while on holiday in June and had filmed his last programme just weeks beforehand.

Katie Archer
·Contributor
·4-min read
Michael Mosley: Wonders of the Human Body - Episode 1 Episode Overview Michael Mosley takes us on extraordinary journey around the human body. Michael puts his body to the test to help you at home understand yours, as he tracks down answers to lots of burning questions, such as; Why do we get creaky joints? What happens when we catch the flu? Can we help our brains stay fit as we age? How do doctors replace a hip? We meet people from around the country with stories to share that shed light on the hidden marvels of our bodies.(Channel 5)
Michael Mosley's final series began with an introduction from his wife. (Channel 5)

Michael Mosley's wife Dr Clare Bailey has paid tribute to him while introducing his final documentary, saying she is "sure he would have enjoyed the programme".

The late TV medic filmed what would be his last programme, Channel 5's Wonders of the Human Body, just weeks before his death on the Greek island of Symi in June.

Viewers also shared how poignant they found scenes where Mosley spoke about his hopes to outlive his father, who had died aged 74.

Michael Mosley's widow Dr Clare Bailey has spoken about his passion for his career in sharing health advice during the introduction to his final documentary.

The medic and broadcaster died in June after going missing on the Greek island of Symi while on holiday with his wife and friends, and she told viewers of Channel 5's Wonders of the Human Body that she and their family were proud to present his last programme.

Buckinghamshire, UK. 5th June, 2013. Qualified Doctor, journalist, television presenter and producer Dr Michael Mosley with his wife Clare Bailey. Credit: Maureen McLean/Alamy
Dr Clare Bailey said she thought her late husband would have enjoyed the programme. (Alamy)

Mosley had filmed the documentary just weeks before his death and in moving scenes introducing it, Dr Bailey was shown laughing and joking with her late husband as she explained how they had been filming experiments together for the show.

She said: "One of Michael's greatest passions has always been to reveal the extraordinary secrets of how our bodies work. He spent several months with the production team travelling far and wide for this brand new series on the human body. The family and I are delighted to introduce it to you.

"Michael even persuaded me to participate, tipping him upside down as well as filling his ice bath all in the name of science.

"And I'm sure he would have enjoyed the programme."

One viewer commented on X: "So poignant watching #MichaelMosley's last programme. He was so great wasn't he. Actually succeeded in jolting a good percentage of us unhealthy lot into changing our habits and probably lengthening our lives."

What else happened on Wonders of the Human Body?

Michael Mosley: Wonders of the Human Body (Channel 5)
Michael Mosley: Wonders of the Human Body was the last show the late medic filmed. (Channel 5)

Viewers of the new series found it particularly poignant as early in the first episode, Mosley was shown undertaking some tests to work out the likelihood of developing potentially deadly heart disease.

The doctor was known for being game for taking on all manner of tests and experiments to demonstrate his point in documentaries, but this one had a special meaning to him as he visited a Cambridge University lab to find out whether he carried the same risk of heart disease as his father, who had died from it.

Mosley said at the beginning of the episode: "I'll show you how we can all live healthier, longer lives and I put my body to the test to help you at home understand yours."

But as he went in for his heart disease risk tests, he admitted: "I am feeling a little bit nervous. Because my father had heart disease, I know that I am at increased risk."

Mosley, who was 66 at the time of filming and died aged 67, said that his father had passed away aged "just 74 - that's only eight years older than I am now".

One person commented: "So sad watching Michael Mosley saying he wants to live longer than his dad, when we now know that he didn’t."

Someone else added: "Michael Mosley discussing his life expectancy is very poignant."

Another viewer wrote: "So sad watching this with his delight at learning that despite low risk of heart attack he concludes that he’ll outlive his father who died at 74… Such a legacy and hugely missed by so many."

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