The world's former fattest man has died at the age of 41. Juan Pedro Franco passed away in hospital on Christmas Eve after a kidney infection.

Juan, who passed the 10 stone mark when he was just six years old, first claimed the Guinness World Record title as the heaviest man on the planet in 2017 when he weighed almost 600kg. He was 32 at the time and mostly bedridden. He was also forced to wear a nappy as he was unable to go to the toilet without the help of the eight people needed to move him.

As reported by The Sun, his death was confirmed by his doctor Jose Antonio Castaneda. Juan passed away in the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes on December 24 after days of health complications.

After claiming the Guinness World Record title, Juan said: "My body just followed its own path without any control whatsoever. I tried to diet day after day, but nothing worked and I became desperate."

However, with the help of Jose, he began an intensive medical programme in a bid to lose some weight. Juan underwent two bariatric surgeries and was put on a strict Mediterranean diet.

This led to him losing 49% of his initial bodyweight. He continued to lose weight and eventually dropped an amazing 52 stone, weighing 41 stone, by 2023.

He said: "Just being able to lift up your arms and get up every day, get up for a glass of water or to go to the toilet, makes you feel great. It feels fantastic to be able to move more and be more self-sufficient."

As well as improving his mobility, the weight loss reduced the health risks associated with Juan's type-2 diabetes and hypertension. He also managed to survive a Covid-19 infection in 2020.

His doctor said his case was challenging, but helped to raise awareness of obesity as a disease. The doctor added that obesity requires empathy and specialist medical care.