The children of TV doctor Michael Mosley were just 350 feet from his body, as they tried to retrace his steps during the desperate search for him.

The wife of the 67-year-old said the loss was "devastating", confirming that the "wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband" had been found dead on the Greek island of Symi.

The much-loved media personality had been missing since Wednesday.

His body was found on Sunday underneath a fence that lines a bar on Agia Marina beach.

The beach itself is surrounded by hilly, rocky terrain that runs down to the sea and is a 30 minutes walk from the village of Pedi, where some of his final moments were captured on CCTV.

The tragic news came following a thorough search over five days, led by emergency workers using aerial drones, with the help of volunteers, the Red Cross and members of his family.

It is believed that the rescuers may have passed close to his body several times during the search.

According to MailOnline, a party of searchers, including his adult children, were as close as 350 feet from the site where he was found.

Ilias Tsavaris, 38, Agia Marina bar manager, first saw Mr Mosley’s body along with reporters, after the Symi’s mayor "saw something" by the fence of the bar during a boat search.

He said: "They saw it with the boat. The mayor came and saw something so that is when they called me and said 'Hey they saw something go and check there'."

In a statement released today confirming his death, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley said: "I don't know quite where to begin with this. It's devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. We had an incredibly lucky life together.

“We loved each other very much and were so happy together. I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the past days.

"My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. It's clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you. We're taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it. He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldn't be easily seen by the extensive search team.

"Michael was an adventurous man, it's part of what made him so special. We are so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who have worked tirelessly to help find him.

“Some of these people on the island, who hadn't even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked. We're also very grateful to The Press who have dealt with us with great respect. I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends. Most of all, I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael. Thank you all."