‘I owe him so much’: Tribute to Michael Mosley

Many of those who paid tribute to Dr Michael Mosley after his death at the age of 67 never had the chance to meet him.

But the medical expert’s impact on people’s lives through his radio, television shows, podcasts and books is enormous, and his death is being mourned around the world.

Fans of the TV doctor, who pioneered the 5:2 diet and highlighted the benefits of intermittent fasting, have shared their thoughts with BBC News.

Pilates Instructor Gillian ByrneMichael, from Hampshire, said: “Over the last few years I’ve been incorporating Michael’s fantastic health message into my own classes in fun ways, such as regular squats, balancing on one leg and the value of breathing exercises.”

“We’re not big fans of taking cold showers, but we do encourage power naps, dark chocolate and green tea!”

“We are committed to carrying on his legacy through our exercise classes and will continue to promote healthy living in everything we do.”

“His message brought us lots of laughs and smiles.”

She added that during a recent class held on a Monday morning, each exercise was a “tribute to the amazing Michael Mosley.”

Jennifer ClarkThe Wagga Wagga, Australia, native said the TV presenter had become an “integral part” of her life.

“Dr Mosley was passionate, vulnerable and always had a smile on his face. He was human and I could relate to him,” she said.

“When you implement a sleep plan, you might wake up at 3 a.m., do some deep breathing exercises, take some melatonin. I feel like Dr. Mosley has been here before.”

Glenys Shaw“He was my absolute hero. He taught me how to eat properly and how to lose weight, which he’s accumulated over his lifetime,” the New Zealand native said.

“He taught me how to be healthy and I am so grateful to him. We have all lost a very special person.”

Dr Mosley overcame his own type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise, and others have chosen to follow his example.

Claire YatesMs Mosley, from Buxton, Derbyshire, said Dr Mosley saved her life – she lost both parents within 24 hours of each other in 2018 and “didn’t want to die so young”.

Since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she said she struggled to keep her blood sugar levels in check and “kept me awake all the time.”

It was while waking up in the middle of the night that she found his blood sugar diet book.

“Within a few weeks, my blood sugar improved dramatically. I lost 33 pounds in eight weeks and am now off all medications,” says Claire, who is now on a maintenance plan.

The 48-year-old has met Dr Mosley twice whilst on tour, most recently in February.

“I was so grateful for everything he did,” she said. “He was a great guy and very knowledgeable.”

“He made everything easy to understand and not scary at all. I’m 50 now and I’m healthier than I was at 40.”

She described him as a “legendary”, adding, “I feel like I knew him well, but I didn’t. He had so much work left to do and so much life to live. This is a tragedy.”

Leslie CottrellThe man, from North Somerset, said: “I was diagnosed with the threat of type 2 diabetes but then I discovered Michael’s book, The 800 Diet, and it changed my life.”

“My doctor even said he wanted to make me a role model for others in the same situation as me.

“Since then I have followed all of his work in health and wellness and have all of his books. Rest in Peace Michael. I am so sad that you have gone sooner than expected.”

Janet Holgate “I feel so sorry for the family, this must be a devastating blow for them.”

“I [type 2] I followed his advice, learned his methods and found out how to reverse diabetes.

“That was six months ago and I still don’t have diabetes.”

Akira Lingam“He continues to be an inspiration to anyone who is pre-diabetic, diabetic or has high cholesterol,” said the Venice, Italy native. “He has given us another option to reverse these problems.”

“He took the time to explain things in simple terms. He was willing to experiment and was someone a lot of us could relate to.”

Simon Strutt “It probably saved me from something serious,” Dr Mosley, of Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire, said in the book, written by him and his wife Clare Bailey Mosley.

As he prepared to undertake Dr Mosley’s fasting plan, he bought a blood pressure monitor following the advice in the accompanying book, only to find that his blood pressure readings were extremely high and he was advised to call an ambulance.

“I owe it to God, Michael and his book that I was able to buy the blood pressure monitor,” he said, explaining that the 10-day diet helped lower his blood pressure readings. “I’ve recommended the book and the blood pressure monitor to all my family and friends.”

One reader wrote: Charles“Although we did not know him personally, his death is like losing an insightful, loyal and trustworthy friend,” said the 2017 press release.

“He understood the human frailties we shared and never shied away from expressing them honestly, but he was always kind enough to let us know our weaknesses and help us manage them.

“I really feel like I’ve lost a friend.”

May Eastfrom Edinburgh, wrote: “Dr Mosley’s Just One Thing podcast has changed my life in so many ways.

“I’m drinking more water than ever, snacking on nuts, reading before bed, incorporating flaxseeds into my diet, and taking short runs in between my walks.”

Roy Law The Grimsby-born announcer described him as “a brilliant announcer who makes the show both informative and entertaining”.

His Wife Judith She tried his 5:2 diet 11 years ago “with great success” and said she “never had to diet again.”

Tara Moore “The country is in mourning. Michael Mosley was a household name. Anyone who had the illness would likely have featured it on his show.”

“He demonstrated cause and effect in a way that everyone could understand, and as a result many people’s health improved.”

Additional reporting by Osob Elumi and Mary Litchfield.