Heartbreaking final Michael Mosley photos taken just days before untimely death

TV icon Dr Michael Mosley was the picture of happiness in a series of snaps released just days before his untimely death. His wife, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley, confirmed the devastating news on 9 June, following Michael's disappearance on the Greek island of Symi.

The last images of Michael, aged 67, capture him in high spirits at the Hay Festival 2024, which took place from 22 May to 1 June. The monochrome shots depict the father-of-four beaming and chuckling, playfully making faces for the camera.

The renowned literary event, hosted yearly in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales, honoured the beloved figure by posting the photographs on Instagram, writing: "Dr Michael Mosley, pictured here at Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye 2024. It was a privilege to share his work on our stages. Our thoughts go to his family, friends and colleagues."

Michael's wife Dr Clare said it is "devastating" to have lost her "wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband" as she confirmed he has been found dead on the Greek island of Symi after going missing on Wednesday, 5 June.

His body was discovered in a rocky area beside Agia Marina on Symi on Sunday, 9 June, after an extensive search led by emergency workers, around a 30-minute walk from the village of Pedi where Michael was last seen on CCTV.

The 67 year old TV personality was with his wife and friends at Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday, before going alone for a walk to the centre of the island.

In a statement from his agent to the PA news agency, Dr Clare 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. 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. Michael was an adventurous man, it's part of what made him so special."

She declared the family are also "so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi" who worked "tirelessly" to help locate Michael, with some individuals working from dawn until dusk unbidden. Clare continued: "I feel so lucky to have our children and my remarkable friends. Most of all, I feel so fortunate to have had this life with Michael. Thank-you all."

Michael's four offspring accompanied their mother to Symi earlier this week to aid in the search. His body was identified around mid-morning on Sunday beneath a fence that envelopes a bar on Agia Marina beach, situated amid hilly, rocky landscape.

Police graced Agia Marina approximately 20 minutes after the body was detected about 90 metres from the shoreline. Firefighters reached the marina shortly after 2pm local time and transported the body away from the island on a stretcher aboard a boat.

On Saturday, a helicopter from the emergency services tirelessly scoured the rugged terrain of Symi, sweeping between Pedi bay and Agia Marina, before zeroing in on the location where the body was eventually discovered. Ilias Tsavaris, 38, who manages the Agia Marina bar, recounted his grim discovery to reporters after the local mayor spotted something unusual near the bar's fence and raised the alarm.

The search operation was extensive, unfolding under perilous conditions and sweltering heat, involving police officers, firefighters equipped with drones, Greek Red Cross personnel, divers, a search dog, and a helicopter.