Carl Thompson (1982 – 21 June 2015)[1] was the heaviest man in the United Kingdom, weighing 413 kg (65 st 1 lb; 911 lb) at the time of his death.[2]
Biography edit
Thompson, of Dover, Kent, was eating heavily at the age of three or four years, sneaking downstairs and eating from the cupboards.[2] At the same age, he took food from his neighbour's freezer.[3] He attended Harbour Specialist School in Dover.[4]
In 2012, his 54-year-old mother died of brain cancer and Thompson said that depression led him to increase his weight from 35 to 65 stone (490 to 910 lb; 220 to 410 kg).[3] He consumed 10,000 calories a day, four times his recommended intake. His food cost £200 per week, including paying takeaway owners to let themselves into his flat to deliver meals to his bed, using spare keys he had made for them.[2]
Thompson could not wear clothes.[5] He last left his flat on crutches on his birthday in 2014, when he weighed 56 stone (780 lb; 360 kg).[3]
In his last year, Thompson was alone and entirely bedridden. He had twice-daily visits from carers to dress and bathe him. He also suffered five heart attacks.[2] Thompson refused a gastric band and said he intended to diet and exercise; doctors told him he must reduce his weight to 20 stone (280 lb; 130 kg) to survive.[3]
In April 2015, he appeared via video link on the ITV show This Morning, where Dr. Dawn Harper told him that he was suffering from other people's kindness.[4] Thompson said that he used his weight to tell others not to follow his example.[3] After the television appearance he received support from local people, including someone who sent him healthier meals.[5]
Death edit
Kent Police were informed of Thompson's death at 10:38 a.m. on 21 June 2015 at 33 years old. It took six hours (including time taken to remove a wall) for three undertakers, two police officers and firemen to remove his body.[5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Gani, Aisha (22 June 2015). "Britain's heaviest man dies aged 33". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d Gani, Aisha (22 June 2015). "Britain's heaviest man dies aged 33". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Bluer, Jordan (30 April 2015). "Dover man Carl Thompson: 'I need to lose 45 stone or doctors say I will die'". Dover Express. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Carl Thompson is Britain's fattest man". ITV. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- ^ a b c Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (22 June 2015). "Carl Thompson dead: Man labelled 'Britain's fattest man' who weighed 65 stone dies aged 33". The Independent. Retrieved 23 June 2015.