World's fattest man dies aged 38

The world's most obese man has died from a heart attack at the age of 38.

Andres Moreno, who weighed 980lbs at his heaviest, passed away on the morning of Christmas Day while he was being rushed to hospital from his home in Ciudad Obregón in Sonora, Mexico.

He suffered a fatal heart attack in the ambulance and could not be revived, his publicist said.

'Andres died at 8.30am on Christmas Day in an ambulance from a heart attack as he was taken from his house to San Jose Hospital,' publicist Carmen Palacios said in a statement today.

Gift: Moreno's death comes just a month after football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (right) sent him a signed Real Madrid shirt in a bid to encourage him to lose weight. Left, Moreno before his recent weight-loss surgery

Speaking to Univision via telephone, Palacios added: 'We are dismayed by the news.'

Moreno, who weighed 700lbs at the time of his death, will be buried in his home state today.

His death comes just a month after football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo reduced him to tears by sending him a signed Real Madrid shirt in a bid to encourage him to lose weight and get healthy.

At time, Moreno said: 'I want to thank everyone, especially Ronaldo, for taking interest in my case.