Details have emerged about the huge search operation which has swung into action after TV doctor Michael Mosley went missing on holiday. The Just One Thing expert who is famed for his 5:2 and Fast 800 eating plans vanished while walking on the Greek island of Symi.
His wife, Dr Clare Bailey, 62, raised the alarm after he failed to return by 7.30pm on Wednesday and local authorities began tracing the route overnight but were unable to locate him. The Daily Mail reported that by midday on Thursday every emergency service in Greece had been seconded by local authorities to find Dr Mosley.
Reports suggested the Hellenic coast guard is checking the coast the seas, and the fire brigade is searching the remote island’s forests and hills. A search and rescue team using drones has also been sent to the scene. A police source told the Mail: “We are focusing on the area of the path we believe Michael would have taken from the beach in Ayios Nikolaos to Pedi but as so much time has elapsed since he went missing we have also expanded our search to other parts of the island.
“Right now there are four police, eight firemen, a drone and seven volunteers involved in the operation.”
A community Facebook group on Symi appealed for information and uploaded a picture of Dr Mosley in shorts, a blue polo shirt, baseball cap and sunglasses. They wrote: “Have you seen this man? He set off to walk back from St Nick’s at about 13.30 and failed to make it home. His friends are concerned as it is 6 hours since they last saw him. His name is Dr Mike Mosley and he is a familiar face for many British people as he has appeared on the BBC.
“The police and coast guard have been informed EMAK, the island’s rescue team, is also involved.”
Senior Police Spokesman Constantina Dimoglidou told the Daily Mail: “He was at the beach of Ag. Nikolas with another couple when he decided to go back to his home in the area of Pedi of Symi. It was around 1.30pm and he forgot his phone at the beach. Any and every attempt to track him down has not produced any result.
Local police said they were informed about the "disappearance of the 67-year-old British national on the island" on Wednesday.
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They opened an "investigation" to find him and a search is being "carried out by the Fire Brigade with the assistance of forces of the Hellenic Police, Civil Protection (a local and regional coordination agency), volunteers and a police dog, while technical means such as drones are also used to locate the missing person".
Fire services said they were asked by officers on Thursday at about 11.15am to help the search.
Six firefighters, a vehicle and a drone team were sent from the nearby island of Rhodes to help, arriving in Symi at about 2pm.
His agent confirmed his disappearance to the PA news agency.
A local Facebook group said Mosley went for a walk from Saint Nikolas Beach at about 1.30pm Greek time on Wednesday, but had not returned by Thursday morning.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who is missing in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities."
Mosley is additionally known for his work as a columnist for the Daily Mail and has produced numerous films focusing on diet and exercise.
The presenter, having previously led the Channel 4 programme Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat?, has also made appearances on BBC's series Trust Me, I'm A Doctor.
Responding to the news, Saleyha Ahsan, fellow star of Trust Me I'm A Doctor, expressed her shock on social media, expressing hopes that Mosley will be "found safe".
"I literally feel sick with worry," added Ahsan. "Don't even know what to say."
Mosley gained an Emmy nomination for his work on BBC's The Human Face, a science documentary presented by John Cleese featuring various recognizable faces including Elizabeth Hurley and Sir David Attenborough
Besides his diverse work on television, he is also recognised for promoting intermittent fasting via the 5:2 diet mechanism and The Fast 800 diet.
Jeremy Vine, Radio 2 presenter and host of Channel 5 talk show, in a heartfelt post on social media wrote, "I'm praying this lovely man is found and thinking of Claire and the whole Mosley family."
Alongside his accomplished career, Mosley stands proudly as father to four children, whom he shares with wife Clare Bailey Mosley. Clare, also a doctor, author and health columnist, penned the recipe book Fast 800 Easy.
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