Moment the BBC announced a body had been found in search for missing Mail columnist Dr Michael Mosley

This is the poignant moment when the BBC announced that a body had been found during the desperate search for Mail columnist Dr Michael Mosley.

Police sources report this the BBC that the person they discovered – who had yet to be formally identified – had been dead for ‘several days’.

Presenter Martine Croxall, 55, announced this morning that the body was found during the search for Dr. Mosley, 67, who was reported missing by his concerned wife on Thursday.

The deputy mayor of Symi island said he was found today in a rocky area near Agia Marina beach as teams searched the coastline.

The area is known for The Abyss – an incredibly deep, water-filled cavern – and a network of caves. A purple umbrella was said to have been discarded nearby.

The body was found near a fence on the seafront, a 30-minute walk from Pedi where he was last seen. It would have been visible from the beach, about 30 yards away.

The deceased was discovered by a bar manager, accompanied by British journalists, after the mayor noticed ‘something’ and alerted staff.

This is the harrowing moment the BBC reported a body had been found during the desperate search for Mail columnist Dr Michael Mosley

Presenter Martine Croxall, 55, (above) made the announcement this morning that the body was found during the search for Dr. Mosley, 67, who was reported missing Thursday.

Dr. Mosley married Clare (pictured together) in 1987, after meeting in medical school

The waiter who found the body on the small Greek island of Symi

Rescue teams were searching for missing Dr. Mosley

Political journalist Laura Kuenssberg also made the announcement during her Sunday morning show.

She said, “We just have some important and sad things going on breaking news to bring you this morning.

‘There are few details, but we can tell you that a body has been found during the search for TV and radio presenter Michael Mosley.

‘That’s what a rescue worker says Greece this morning, who spoke to the BBC.’

Yesterday, a Greek fire brigade helicopter hovered over the spot where the body was found.

Police arrived about 20 minutes after it was discovered – about 100 meters from the shoreline.

A short time later, a coastguard boat arrived and anchored close to the beach, while a small tender with more officers attended the scene.

Mayor Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas had accompanied the media to Agia Marina, but was on his way back to Pedi when he looked back and saw something unusual on the rocks.

He then called the beach restaurant and alerted the staff who rushed to see what he had seen with a group of British journalists who had stayed behind.

The man whose body was found appears to have walked over large rocks and followed a fence. The unsafe terrain was illustrated by a police officer who hurt his leg while walking close to the body, according to The Times.

Dr. Mosley was seen on CCTV at Pedi Marina, Symi, shortly before 2pm on Wednesday

Police believe Dr Mosley was seen on CCTV in the town of Pedi before making a wrong turn along a path heading north on the island of Symi

This is the photo of Dr. Mosley who was placed on a call after he went missing while walking

The seaside resort of Agia Marina, the location where a body was found

Land near the path to St Nicholas Beach, where Dr. Mosley went for a walk on Wednesday

Officials said the coroner was notified and traveled from Rhodes to Symi.

A major operation was launched to find the doctor after he disappeared on Wednesday while walking alone in the sweltering 36 degrees Celsius heat.

His wife Dr Clare Bailey, 62, raised the alarm when he had not returned home by 7.30pm and local authorities began tracing his route overnight.

Dr. Mosley, 67, was one of Britain’s best-known doctors, whose revolutionary dietary advice endeared him to millions of Daily Mail readers and TV viewers.

Known for his outgoing nature and bubbly personality, he achieved worldwide fame by popularizing the 5:2 diet and releasing a series of best-selling books.

Police first reported Dr Mosley missing at 10.30am on Thursday and by the afternoon all emergency services in Greece had joined the search on the small island of Symi.

Dr. Mosley (pictured) and his wife landed on the 40-square-kilometre island on Tuesday and were due to stay for a week with a couple who have a house in Symi Town

A helicopter participating in search operations for Dr. Mosley

Mayor of Syimi Eleftherios Papakalodouka who warned the beach resort manager after he thought he saw something ‘unusual’ from the sea

The medic was seen leaving Saint Nicholas beach towards the town of Pedi, along a rocky path with steep sections.

CCTV footage showed him passing a cafe in the town, northeast of the holiday island of Symi.

Police believed Dr Mosley was probably walking towards the town of Symi, due west of Pedi, but took a wrong turn and ended up on a ‘dangerous’ mountain path heading north.

The coastguard searched the sea while firefighters searched the forests and hills of the remote island, with volunteers also helping.

On Saturday, Dr.’s four children arrived. Mosley on the island to join the search.

Mosley’s wife, Dr. Clare Bailey, had searched the island with her British friends.