Michael Mosley: TV doctor missing on Greek island of Symi

TV doctor Michael Mosley, known for popularising the 5:2 diet, has gone missing while on holiday on the Greek island of Symi.

A search and rescue operation is under way, including a drone and a police dog searching hard to reach areas.

A helicopter is flying from Athens to assist, Symi’s deputy mayor told BBC News.

Greek Police said Dr Mosley left his wife on the beach and set off on a walk to the centre of the island on Wednesday.

His phone was found at the place he was staying at with his wife, who reported him missing, a police spokesperson told BBC News.

The 67-year-old broadcaster is well known for programmes including the BBC series Trust Me, I’m a Doctor and appearances on BBC’s The One Show and ITV’s This Morning.

After officers on the island were unable to find Dr Mosley, they requested help from the Greek fire department in Athens. Firefighters arrived in Symi from nearby Rhodes at 14:00 local time (12:00 BST) on Thursday.

The area where Dr Mosley is believed to have walked through to get back is in parts impassable and dangerous, according to the fire department.

Firefighters, volunteers and police officers are looking for him alongside a police dog, while a drone has also been deployed to help the search.

An appeal saying he was missing was posted on a local Facebook group on Wednesday, alongside a recent picture of Dr Mosley wearing a blue cap, polo shirt and shorts.

“Have you seen this man? He set off to walk back from [Agios Nikolaos beach] at about 13.30 and failed to make it home,” it said.

Symi is part of Greece’s Dodecanese island group and had a population of 2,590 in 2011.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who is missing in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Dr Mosley’s documentary work has garnered awards, including an Emmy for a BBC science documentary The Human Face – which examined the science behind human perception of beauty.

He also writes a column for the Daily Mail, and has made several TV programmes about diet and exercise – including Channel 4 show Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat?

Dr Mosley has been an advocate for intermittent fasting diets, including through the 5:2 diet and The Fast 800 diet.

He has four children with his wife Clare Bailey Mosley, who is also a doctor, author and healthy living advocate.

The couple recently appeared at the Hay Festival where Dr Mosley presented a special edition of his BBC Radio 4 series and podcast Just One Thing.