A 40-stone man has died in hospital aged just 25. Chris Leppard suffered from Prader-Willi Syndrome, which meant he never felt full.

He suffered a heart attack yesterday, two weeks after being admitted to hospital.

Chris, of Hastings, made headlines after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2003 for being too fat. Despite the last-ditch bid to save him, the wannabe chef died at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, with mum Anne by his side.

Anne, 51, said: "I cried and cried when he was taken into hospital but I knew it was his only chance of getting better.

"But at the weekend the doctors took me to one side and told me they didn't think he had long. His heart was too weak and it was just a matter of time before it stopped. Then he passed away.

"I was holding his hand and it was as peaceful as it could have been. He had his brothers by his side too.

"I am absolutely heartbroken. I wish he had been given the help when he was 13. Maybe then he could have gone on to lead a relatively normal life."

At the height of Chris's illness he would consume nearly £10,000 worth of food in a year.

In an interview weeks before his death Chris admitted he had given up on life but was looking forward to getting to heaven so he could "play football for Arsenal".

He said: "I don't want to die but I can't go on living like this either. I've had a good life and I've spent it with friends and family around me."

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