Dr Clare Bailey Mosley left people in tears as she accepted an award on behalf of her late husband Dr Michael Mosley, who died while on holiday in Greece this summer. Dr Mosley was a much-loved broadcaster famed for creating diets such as the Fast 800 and writing multiple books.
He was known on TV, radio and for his podcasts – mostly Just One Thing where each episode saw him take a close look at one change people can make to change their health and wellbeing.
Dr Clare attended the 2024 British Podcast Awards in London on Thursday night. The star-studded event was hosted by comedian and podcaster Marcus Brigstocke, with category presenters including Rylan Clark and Scott Mills, Annie Mac, Olivia Atwood, Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall, Joanne McNally, Jordan North and William Hanson and Hilary and Michael Whitehall.
In a poignant moment, Dr Clare accepted the ‘Hall of Fame’ award on behalf of her late husband, Dr Michael Mosley, for his hugely popular BBC podcast Just One Thing – which encourages listeners to improve their health and wellbeing with small changes.
This marked one of Clare’s first public appearances since Michael’s death in June, and her heartfelt speech deeply moved the audience, especially Michael’s long-time BBC colleagues in attendance. Clare Mosley said: “Firstly, I wish more than anything that Michael was here himself to be collecting this award. Michael knew that Just One Thing had really connected with people, he loved the simplicity of the format and being able to genuinely help people.
“The outpouring to me and my family in the last 3 months has shown us that it wasn’t just the podcast they loved, it was Michael too.”
She concluded with a touching reminder: “Life can be shorter than you ever imagine, and so if there’s One Thing you do today, hug your loved ones, tell them they are loved, don’t ever take time for granted.”
The TV doctor, broadcaster and columnist went missing while on holiday with Dr Clare Bailey Mosley on the Greek island of Symi over the summer, and his body was found days later.
The awards ceremony also saw pop star Lily Allen and presenter Miquita Oliver win gold for best entertainment with Miss Me?, a podcast where the friends catch up with each other and discuss the biggest cultural moments of the week.
The Rest Is Politics, featuring former MP Rory Stewart and ex-Tony Blair aide Alastair Campbell, picked up the podcast champion award while The News Agents, with journalists Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall, continued its winning streak in the best news and current affairs category – also winning the spotlight award.
Accepting Mosley’s award at the event, writer and GP Clare told the audience: “Firstly, I wish more than anything that Michael was here himself to be collecting this award. One of Michael’s very special gifts was also having the right words to use; he always knew the right thing to say, so I hope I can do him some justice this evening.”
She added: “His warmth and his guidance, but mainly they connected with Michael because they saw he was a really genuinely kind person. Unassuming and genuinely caring, that was Michael.”
Dr Clare then thanked people for their “messages, the letters and outpouring of love”, which has “really helped us as a family and we have been so comforted by them”.
She also said the prize “would have meant a great deal to Michael,” and also noted that the team at BBC Sounds helped make it something that “really resonates with people”.
Dr Clare added: “So thank you – and can I remind you all that life can be shorter than you ever imagine, and so if there’s one thing you do today, hug your loved ones, tell them they are loved, don’t ever take time for granted.”
The evening also saw the listeners’ choice award given to Help I Sexted My Boss, hosted by radio presenter Jordan North and etiquette coach William Hanson, while And Then Came Breast Cancer, with journalist Victoria Derbyshire, picked up gold for the best wellbeing podcast.
Broadcaster Mosley was known for popularising the 5:2 diet, a form of intermittent fasting, through his book The Fast Diet, as well as his documentaries on the BBC and the show Trust Me, I’m A Doctor. In July, the BBC honoured the qualified doctor turned science broadcaster with a day dedicated to him where presenters and audiences were encouraged to do “just one thing” to improve their wellbeing.
The broadcaster also released the special Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed Britain, as well as an episode of Just One Thing, celebrating his career and life. Mosley was discovered in a rocky area on Symi, part of the Dodecanese island chain, and it was later determined by Greek authorities that he died of natural causes.
An inquest into his death at age 67 on June 5 is set to take place in Buckinghamshire in November.