Michael Mosley's wife says response 'extraordinary'

Dr Clare Bailey Mosley was married to Michael for 37 years

The wife of broadcaster Dr Michael Mosley said she has been overwhelmed by the "extraordinary" response from the public following his death.

The TV presenter and science journalist died of natural causes aged 67 after going missing on the Greek island of Symi.

Dr Clare Bailey Mosley told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she had been left "breath-taken" by the public's reaction, adding that it showed people had "really loved him".

It comes as the BBC honours Dr Mosley across radio and TV on Friday and encourages audiences to do "just one thing" to improve their wellbeing.

Asked how she and her family are coping by the BBC's Justin Webb, Dr Bailey Mosley said: "My children have been just incredible. I can't tell you how much support they've given me and joy as well. Really difficult times. And family and friends.

"And to be honest, I'm still kind of breath-taken by the response from people across the country, across the world . It's just extraordinary.

"He was quite a sort of quiet, humble man, and to have that sort of response is just extraordinary."

Dr Mosley went missing last month after leaving a beach to go for a walk in Symi, where he was on holiday.

Following a high-profile search, rescue crews found the BBC Just One Thing podcast presenter's body four days later in a rocky area.

'He loved what he did'

Speaking on what Dr Mosley would have made of the outpouring of affection, his widow said: "He didn't seek the limelight. He was quite shy, but loved what he did and was very good at it."

She said she has a list of "caring" and "touching" tributes from people, adding the family has only just started looking at some letters as they were sent so many.

In a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday, Dr Bailey Mosley described it as "very hard" trying to piece her family's lives back together.

"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," she said.

"As people often say, it’s a journey, not all sad and you take each day at a time."

But she hopes she can continue to share the message of her husband, who she said is present through the lives that he touched.

Friday's Just One Thing Day is named after his podcast where he revealed tips to help improve your health.

It is focused on encouraging healthy habits by introducing easy routines or simple swaps into daily life to improve wellbeing.

The Today programme on Friday heard from people whose lives have been changed by Mosley's tips, with TV shows Morning Live and The One Show, on which Dr Mosley was a regular contributor, also featuring Just One Thing Day.

On Morning Live, presenters stood on one leg, a popular Dr Mosley tip. Standing on one leg for 30 seconds and then switching leg has been shown to help improve balance and posture, Dr Punam Krishan told viewers.

One of those who gave tribute was former deputy Labour leader Lord Watson.

He said Dr Mosley's book on ultra-low calorie diets helped him keep his type 2 diabetes in remission.

"There are millions of people in this country, like me, that will remember Michael every day when they do silly little things like standing on their left leg... he brought joy to our lives and he gave us good health," he said.

"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," Dr Bailey Mosley added.

Dr Bailey Mosley said her family found it "very hard" to piece their lives back together