Dr Clare Bailey tells of the 'overwhelming' grief after the death of her husband Dr Michael Mosley on Greek island - but adds 'we can laugh and smile too' as BBC prepares for day of tributes
Dr Michael Mosley's widow has opened up about her ‘overwhelming’ grief after the death of her husband on a Greek holiday island.
'We are trying to put our lives back together without Michael and it’s very hard,' Dr Clare Bailey admitted ahead of a dedicated day on the BBC which will pay tribute to the late TV health guru and Mail columnist.
But the mother-of-four, who was married to the TV doctor for nearly 40 years, added: 'Not all the time. We can smile and laugh too. As well as comfort each other.'
She continued: 'Grief can feel overwhelming. Light and beautiful. Catch you by surprise. Feel like the weight of a stone or a sharp pain. It changes unexpectedly. As people often say, it’s a journey, not all sad and you take each day at a time.'
Her comments come ahead of the broadcaster's day of coverage, with programmes scheduled to run across BBC One, Radio 2, Radio 4 and Radio 6 Music on July 12 to honour Dr Mosley following his death on the Greek island of Symi at the age of 67 last month.
Dr Clare Bailey has opened up about the ‘overwhelming’ grief after the death of her husband Dr Michael Mosley
Titled the Just One Thing Day, after his Radio 4 podcast, programmes and items on the Today programme, Morning Live and The One Show will encourage listeners and viewers to do 'just one thing' to improve their wellbeing.
Discussing well-wishers' 'extraordinary outpouring of grief and gratitude for Michael and how he has changed so many lives', Dr Bailey said her family was 'incredibly grateful' for the 'heartfelt thoughts and kindness extended to us', adding it 'is very moving'.
She continued: 'We sincerely hope that we can continue to share his positive message going forward. Because while we are learning to live without Michael, he is ever present through the lives that he touched and the difference he made.
'The BBC’s celebration of Michael’s life tomorrow with "Just One Thing Day" is wonderful.
'A day dedicated to the impact he had on people’s lives and to celebrate his legacy within broadcasting and beyond – it’s humbling and delightful all at once. We are so grateful.'
In memory of the beloved presenter and writer, the BBC's day of coverage will adhere to his ethos of establishing healthy and manageable daily routines that impact mental and physical health.
The Today programme will kick off proceedings with a discussion in which people can explain how Mosley's tips helped change their lives.
On Women's Hour, Anita Rani will discuss Mosley's exercise tips and reveal how they have impacted her own life, while Evan Davies will talk about waking up with a cold shower on PM.
'We are trying to put our lives back together without Michael and it’s very hard,' Dr Bailey admitted ahead of the BBC's entire day of coverage dedicated to the late TV health guru and Mail columnist
Dr Mosley with his wife Clare on their wedding day in 1987 nearly 40 years ago
The Food Programme will delve into some of Mosley's diet and nutrition tips, ranging from eating oily fish to the benefits of turmeric and will showcase past Just One Thing topics.
Front Row will celebrate the importance of music or playing an instrument to bringing a sense of calm.
Radio 2's Tina Daheley and Radio 6 Music's Craig Charles will take on the challenge and choose one thing to improve their health, as will the hosts on The One Show and Morning Live.
'Michael's broadcasting changed people's lives. His Radio 4 podcast inspired so many to take up small, everyday things to improve their health and well-being,' said Radio 4 controller, Mohit Bakaya.
'So we thought it would be fitting to dedicate a day to the impact he had on people's lives and celebrate his legacy within broadcasting and beyond.
'He was a hugely well-liked and widely admired colleague within radio and TV, so it is no surprise that so many programmes across the BBC have been keen to share their support for Michael as part of Just One Thing Day.'
Mosley is credited with popularising the 5:2 diet, a form of intermittent fasting, through his book The Fast Diet, and he often pushed his body to extreme lengths during his research into health and wellbeing.
Dr Michael Mosley, 67, (pictured in 2013) went missing during a walk on the Greek holiday island of Symi last month
In memory of the beloved presenter and writer (pictured on The Doctor Who Changed Britain) , the day will adhere to his ethos of establishing healthy and manageable daily routines that impact mental and physical health
Mosley is credited with popularising the 5:2 diet, a form of intermittent fasting, through his book The Fast Diet, and he often pushed his body to extreme lengths during his research into health and wellbeing
Michael Mosley's affection for his wife shone through as the BBC broadcast his last ever interview – about how to live a good life. Time and again, Dr Mosley mentioned his wife Dr Clare Bailey (pictured with her husband) with whom he has four children and worked closely on all his projects
He first trained as a doctor in London before moving into the world of media, becoming a presenter, documentary maker, author and columnist.
During his career he presented a host of science programmes and films including the BBC series Trust Me, I'm A Doctor, which looked at healthcare in Britain, and hosted BBC Radio 4 podcast Just One Thing.
Just One Thing Day will take place across the BBC on July 12.
Dr Mosley vanished after going for a walk on Symi last month and, after a five-day search, his body was found alongside a low wall at a beach resort only a few minutes from safety.
An inquest determined that he had died of natural causes and most likely collapsed due to the punishing heat.
He is survived by wife Dr Clare Bailey and his four adult children.
Clare previously thanked wellwishers in an Instagram tribute for their 'outpouring of love' after her husband died on a Greek holiday island, as she described him as an 'amazing man' who 'we miss so much'.
She vowed to continue the work of the popular TV medic and Mail columnist who was much loved for his health advice including on weightloss and exercise.
Dr Bailey told her 146,000 Instagram followers: 'Thank you all for your wonderfully supportive messages. The outpouring of love from so many people has meant a huge amount to me and my family.
Dr Clare Bailey previously shared a photo of her husband and a message on her Instagram account
She thanked wellwishers for their 'outpouring of love' following the popular TV medic's death
Dr Michael Mosley and his wife Claire Bailey were married for 40 years (pictured together in 2019)
Claire Bailey (right) has paid tribute to her 'brilliant' husband Dr Michael Mosley (left) - they are seen together here appearing on ITV's This Morning in June 2019
'I'm going to be quiet for a while. I’m sure you will understand. But I will be back here soon.
'I very much want to continue with the work that gave Michael and myself so much joy and such a sense of purpose.
'Once more thank you so much for respecting my family's privacy so kindly. Michael was an amazing man. Thank you for seeing that too. We miss him so much.'
Dr Mosley was found dead by a fence at the resort of Agia Marina 260feet from a beach bar and safety, having gone missing when taking a walk at a time when temperatures were nudging 40C.
Sophie Laurimore, director of The Soho Agency, which represented Dr Mosley, described him as a 'wise, wonderful and lovely man' when news of his death was confirmed.
She said: 'It is with such profound sadness that we say farewell to our dear friend and client, the wise, wonderful and lovely man, Michael Mosley.
'Michael loved what he did and found it a pleasure and a great privilege to work with his colleagues in TV, radio, publishing and at his business, The Fast 800.
Dr Mosley was on holiday with his wife in Symi (pictured) after they completed a nationwide tour together called: Eat (well), Sleep (better), Live (longer)
Police believed Dr Mosley was seen on CCTV in the town of Pedi before making a wrong turn along a path heading north, on the island of Symi
'He was immensely grateful for how receptive the public were to the ideas he had the privilege to share and to the many scientists whose work he had the honour to help popularise.
'Our hearts are with Clare and the children. Michael was unique. The work he did was important. We will miss him dreadfully.'
Dr Mosley's affection for his wife shone through as the BBC broadcast his last ever interview – about how to live a good life.
The Mail health guru's poignant final programme was recorded before an audience at the Hay Festival just two weeks before the beloved health expert's tragic death in Greece.
Time and again, Dr Mosley mentioned his wife Dr Clare Bailey, with whom he has four children and worked closely on all his projects.
