World’s shortest man dies aged 21

THE world’s shortest man, He Pingping, has died at the age of 21, a Guinness World Records spokesman revealed today.

Pingping, who was 29 inches tall, was filming a television programme in Italy when he developed chest problems.

The Chinese-born man, who became a record-holder in March 2008, was taken to hospital in Rome for treatment but passed away on Saturday. It is understood he died of heart complications.

Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, who measured Pingping in Inner Mongolia, paid tribute to the world’s shortest man.

He said: “From the moment I laid eyes on him I knew he was someone special – he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn’t help but be charmed by him. He brightened up the lives of everyone he met, and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual.”

Pingping, who was born with primordial dwarfism, had been accompanied by his brother-in-law on the trip to Europe to film records show Lo Show Dei Record. The successor to the title of world’s shortest man will be announced at a later date.