As the Mail’s health guru, Dr Michael Mosley was very vocal on the benefits of dancing.
And now it can be revealed that he was set to appear in the forthcoming series of the BBC‘s Strictly Come Dancing after being approached just weeks before his tragic death.
Dr Mosley, 67, told friends that he had been invited to take part as a contestant in what would have been the show’s 20 year anniversary.
While it wasn’t thought that he signed the contract before he died of heat exhaustion after sitting down to rest on a rocky slope on the Greek island of Symi last week, he appeared excited at the prospect of taking part.
One friend told the Mail: ‘He told me just the week before last he’d been invited to do Strictly.’
In May 2022 Dr Michael Mosley spoke of the benefits which included boosting memory and burning calories on his BBC show, Just One Thing. He even held a glitter ball – the prize Strictly winners take home – on the programme
Tess Daly (left), who has presented during every series since the first in 2004, alongside presenter Claudia Winkleman (right)
It would have been the perfect role for Dr Mosley, who spoke both knowledgably and enthusiastically about dancing and how it helps the body – both physically and mentally.
Back in May 2022 he spoke of the benefits which included boosting memory and burning calories on his BBC show, Just One Thing. He even held a glitter ball – the prize Strictly winners take home – on the programme.
In the episode named How can dancing help your brain? he said: ‘Dancing undoubtedly improves your fitness. It has been shown to support your mental health and it can even boost your memory. It can be used effectively for depression and it’s good for social connection. Dance has also been shown to help manage the symptoms of a number of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
‘One of its most fascinating benefits is the fast and significant impact of dancing on your brain chemistry. Dancing can greatly increase the brain’s hippocampus – an area which plays an important role in learning, memory and navigation in space.
‘Dancing is a valuable way to increase your physical activity. It can get your heartbeat up over 140 beats per minute and help you burn quite a few calories – around 340 every half an hour. It has a great combination of low- and high-intensity bouts during the exercise. On top of that, new routines are a fun way to challenge your brain.’
Should Mr Mosley have taken part on the series, he would have undoubtedly brought it much joy. It is currently engulfed in a bullying scandal after Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of being ‘abrasive’ during their months of appearing together on the show, accusations which Pernice denies.
Dr Mosley, 67, told friends that he had been invited to take part as a contestant in what would have been the show’s 20 year anniversary
Dr Mosley was set to appear in the forthcoming series of the BBC ‘s Strictly Come Dancing after being approached just weeks before his tragic death
Mr Pernice quit after nine years as Ms Abbington as hired leading lawyers Carter-Ruck to represent her and two other women in a complaint against him.
Now many fans have promised to stop watching the forthcoming series after the BBC confirmed on Monday that he won’t be part of the line up of professional dancers.
Hundreds took to social media to tell of their upset that the much-loved Mr Pernice would prompt them to switch the show off.
One Strictly insider said: ‘Dr Mosley would have been a hugely loveable contestant, exactly what the show needs. Particularly this year after the Gio row.’
