From the James Bond bungee jump over Switzerland’s Verzasca Dam to living with tapeworm: Inside Dr Michael Mosley’s incredible TV career
Dr Michael Mosley’s TV career began in the 1990s and for the next twenty years he did everything from the James Bond bungee jumping to life with a tapeworm.
Born in Calcutta, India, dr. Mosley attended boarding school in England before studying PPE at Oxford. After trying investment banking, he retrained as a doctor before joining the bank BBC as an assistant producer in training.
Dr. Mosley made a series of science and history documentaries over 25 years, rising to become a presenter and executive producer at the company.
In his journalistic career he has collaborated with, among others John Cleese, Jeremy ClarksonProfessor Robert Winston and Mr David Attenborough.
His on-screen career was spent challenging outdated ideas, using his talents of wit, enthusiasm and lateral thinking to test theories – often on himself.
MailOnline looks back at the TV doctor’s career over the years on our screens.
Dr. Mosley (pictured) was found dead today on a small Greek island after going missing
Dr. Mosley married Clare (pictured together) in 1987, after meeting in medical school
Swear Wars – 1994
In 1994, Dr. Moseley’s first full-length project. The Horizon documentary was about Barry Marshall, a self-experimenter.
He was convinced that stomach ulcers are not caused by stress, but by an organism.
The show generated more than 20,000 letters and as a result Mosley was named medical journalist of the year by the British Medical Association.
He said at the time, “In a funny way, I probably did better with that one program than if I had stayed in medicine for 30 years.”
Trust me, I’m a doctor – 1996
In November 1996 the documentary show was broadcast for the first time with a combination of factual reporting and satire, hosted by Phil Hammond and helmed by Dr. Mosley.
In the show, medical experts provide health and nutrition-related tips to people to help them live a healthy life.
They also discuss popular health claims and deconstruct myths surrounding the topic.
The original BBC Two show ran until 1999 and in 2013 the show returned – with Dr. Mosley as presenter.
Television program: Trust Me, I’m A Doctor with Dr. Chris van Tulleken, Gabriel Weston, Dr. Michael Mosley and Dr. Saleyha Ashan
In the show, medical experts give people tips on health and nutrition
Blood and Guts – 2008
In 2008, Dr. Mosely presented a documentary series about the brutal, bloody and dangerous history of the operation.
He looked back to history, when the surgeon’s knife would kill you rather than save you.
The TV doctor has also investigated invasive medicine in the past, while it usually involved leeches.
In 2008, Dr. Mosely presented a documentary series about the brutal, bloody and dangerous history of the operation
The Only Show – 2009
The doctor has made several appearances on The One Show, including researching hypnosis for pain relief with Stewart Derbyshire from the University of Birmingham.
In this episode, he was hypnotized when a pin was inserted into his hand as far as it would go, but it only felt like applying “suntan lotion” without any pain.
The doctor has made several appearances on The One Show, including researching hypnosis for pain relief with Stewart Derbyshire from the University of Birmingham
The Story of Science – 2010
The Story of Science was a scientific documentary produced in 2010 by Dr. Mosley was presented on BBC Two.
It aired for one series, with six hour-long episodes, exploring how scientific understanding has developed over time.
The Story of Science was a scientific documentary produced in 2010 by Dr. Mosley was presented on BBC Two
‘James Bond’ Bungee Jump – 2011
The health guru bungee jumped from Switzerland’s Verzasca Dam – the highest dam in Europe.
The dam became famous when a stuntman jumped off it in the opening scene of the James Bond film ‘Goldeneye’.
As he peered over the edge, he realized the magnitude of the height as he said with trepidation, “Oh, that’s real now.”
“That’s terrifying, that’s absolutely terrifying,” he said before jumping, shouting and commenting. ‘That’s absolutely terrible – being upside down is even worse.’
He continued: ‘I’m now waiting for the euphoric moment to arrive.’
Dr. Mosley bungee jumped from the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland
Inside the human body – 2011
Dr. Mosley also spoke with several people around the world who have experienced remarkable changes.
Using images and stories, he traced development from birth to adulthood, revealing that the brain is so advanced that it takes more than twenty years to mature.
Using images and stories, Dr. Mosley traced development from birth to adulthood, revealing that the brain is so advanced that it takes more than twenty years to mature.
Horizon: The Truth About Exercise – 2012
The Truth About Exercise first aired in 2012 and highlighted how different patterns of physical activity can help achieve health benefits.
It also explored the dangers of sitting for long periods of time and revealed how certain people may not see significant improvements in aerobic exercise through endurance exercise.
Dr. Mosley in The Truth About Exercise with Michael Mosley
infected! Living with parasites – 2014
BBC Four series infected! Living with Parasites aired in 2014 and saw Dr. Mosley explores the world of parasites by infecting himself with them.
For six weeks, he used his body as a laboratory and allowed a tapeworm to live inside him to study its impact on his body.
Ultimately, he did not experience any major negative consequences, but he did gain a kilo.
He also stuck a leech on his arm and tried to infect himself with lice.
Dr. Moseley even took sodium thiopental – known as truth serum – and also took the mushroom drug psilocybin while having his brain scanned.
BBC Four series infected! Living with Parasites aired in 2014 and saw Dr. Mosley explores the world of parasites by infecting himself with them
The Truth About Getting Fit – 2018
Dr. Mosley worked with scientists to investigate how people can train smarter.
With the help of volunteers and researchers, he investigated what could have the greatest impact: walking 10,000 steps per day or three sessions of ten minutes of brisk walking per day.
Dr. Mosley worked with scientists to investigate how people can train smarter
The Diagnostic Detectives – 2020
Dr. Mosley and a group of medical specialists presented a documentary series in 2020 about the group of doctors who choose to treat a patient with life-altering symptoms.
Dr.’s New Fast 800 Keto Diet Michael Mosley – 2021
The presenter recently appeared on screens to talk about his Fast 800 Keto diet, which is described as ‘moderately low carb, Mediterranean style’.
It is the subject of his 2021 book and also featured on Channel 4’s Lose a Stone in 21 Days.
The book sold 350,000 copies in Britain the year it was published and has since sold more than 1 million copies and been translated into 30 languages.
However, his three-part series for Channel 4 was criticized by eating disorder charity Beat, whose helplines were flooded.
Dr. Mosley co-authored the book The Fast Diet with journalist Mimi Spencer in 2013
Michael Mosley: Secrets of Your Big Shop – 2024
In the Channel 4 show Secrets Of Your Big Shop, Dr. Mosley undercover as a takeout delivery boy.
He then appeared on the doorstep of those who ordered and shocked the family with their weekly takeaway.
One woman even burst into tears after being confronted about her £300-a-week takeaway.
In the Channel 4 show Secrets Of Your Big Shop, Dr. Mosley undercover
