in the early part of his bodybuilding career

A former bodybuilder diagnosed with aggressive liver cancer has died aged just 39.

Dean Wharmby, a father-of-one, was told he had just weeks to live in November last year after a large tumour was found on his liver.

But Mr Wharmby, an ex-personal trainer, fought his illness until Sunday, when he passed away at a hospice, with his partner Charlotte Rigby at his side.

Mr Wharmby, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, attracted almost 10,000 followers on Facebook, where, through his page 'Dean's Journey', he shared his experiences of the illness, from his diagnosis to the pain he suffered.

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Former bodybuilder Dean Wharmby, 39, has passed away after a tumour was found on his liver in November 2014 that was too big to operate on. He is pictured before he was diagnosed with cancer

Mr Wharmby is pictured with partner Charlotte Rigby in a hospice a week before his death. He tried to fight cancer using natural medicine, adopting a strict diet and cutting out sugar and meat

Mr Wharby's partner Charlotte Rigby uploaded a touching tribute to the Facebook page Dean's Journey, which he set up to describe the experience of battling cancer

Uploading moving videos and staying positive through the ordeal, he also posted about his unique approach to fighting the cancer by using natural medicine, taking vitamins and adopting a strict diet which involved cutting out sugar and meat.

Previously, he had survived on a 10,000 calorie a day diet of burgers, pizzas and bacon sandwiches - washed down with seven to eight cans of energy drink.

Before he died, he admitted that his quest to create the 'perfect' bodybuilder's physique may have caused his cancer.

He admits to taking steroids for about a year at the beginning of his career to help create his physique because 'everybody did it'.

Ms Rigby, who continued to update followers after her partner moved into the hospice, told his supporters of the tragic news on Facebook.

She said: 'Dean showed us all no doom or gloom, even in his darkest times.

'He fought through times where some people would crumble with a smile on his face and a big heart and he never gave up.

'He had such strong beliefs and I know that where he is now, he is free.'

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LIVER CANCER? Symptoms of liver cancer are often vague and don't appear until the cancer is at an advanced stage. They can include: unexplained weight loss

loss of appetite

feeling very full after eating, even if the meal was small

feeling sick and vomiting

pain or swelling in your abdomen (tummy)

jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes)

itchy skin

feeling very tired and weak Visit your GP if you notice any of the symptoms listed above. Although they are more likely to be the result of a more common condition, such as an infection, it's best to have them checked. You should also contact your GP if you have previously been diagnosed with a condition known to affect the liver, such as cirrhosis or a hepatitis C infection, and your health suddenly deteriorates. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

Mr Wharmby's story was read by thousands of people, who have sent their condolences and shared memories on the Facebook page.

Mike Hurst wrote: 'Dean was the most powerful guy I have ever and will ever meet. A miracle of spirit and soul.'

Hayley Payne said: 'What a remarkable man he was. Dean was such an inspirational guy, with incredible strength. His positivity was incredible and he's captured the hearts of many people.'

Ricardo Sinclair posted: 'You were such an inspiration to me and to so many. Rest in eternal peace.'

Sarah Marriott said: 'Dean will never be gone. His infectious enthusiasm and cheerfulness in the face of such hideous circumstances will live in people's hearts and minds for ever.'

Mr Wharmby's cancer was first diagnosed in 2010, and as he battled the disease, he admitted the high-protein, fatty diet he lived on for four to five years may have led to his illness.

'It was because I was trying to be as big as possible,' Mr Wharmby told MailOnline in March.

'I can't say it was the diet for sure, but things like the energy drinks could be contributing factors. Red meats - all things we have found out have so many impurities in them now.

'I think it was a combination of it all.'

Mr Wharmby had been a bodybuilder for 20 years before he became ill.

In the beginning, he admits to taking steroids for about a year to create his physique because 'everybody did it'.

But he soon turned his back on them, as he began to build his personal training business.

It was then his diet took a turn for the worse.

Mr Wharmby is survived by his partner Charlotte Rigby, whom he called his 'rock' and their daughter Scarlett

Mr Wharmby used to eat 10,000 calories a day and consume seven to eight energy drink cans in a quest to attain the perfect bodybuilder's physique

After his diagnosis, he was offered chemotherapy but says doctors 'basically said there was no point'

'I could train seven clients in a day, back-to-back,' he said. 'Then I would have to have the energy to train myself.'

He added: 'I was constantly on the go.'

Mr Wharmby found the energy from seven to eight cans of energy drink while eating every two hours.

And while some of it was typical bodybuilder fare - protein shakes, eggs and chicken - other bits were less conventional.

I know that where Dean is now, he is free, he is amazed, he has shook off all his illness and pain and is pure and perfect and will live forever Charlotte Rigby, Mr Wharmby's partner

Mr Wharmby would grab a McDonalds for a snack, and a pizza on the way home - which he would eat while his girlfriend of five years cooked dinner.

At his biggest, he was 20 stone.

But then he became unwell five-and-a-half years ago, and doctors discovered a growth.

He was offered chemotherapy and a liver transplant, but he decided to turn both down in favour of natural remedies.

'I refused it from day one,' he said. 'The main reason why I chose to do natural instead of artificial was because I wanted to live. I didn't want to die.'

But that meant he needed to completely rethink his diet, which was full of 'acidic foods' - which he believed helped cancers thrive.

And for a year, it was successful: Mr Wharmby's tumour disappeared.

'But I got complacent,' he admitted. 'The old lifestyle crept in again.'

In 2013, he collapsed outside the gym where he was working as a trainer, and rushed to hospital.

For the majority of the next year, he returned to his healthy lifestyle.

But then things started to go wrong: he broke up with his girlfriend briefly, and found himself homeless - making it hard to concentrate on getting better.

Mr Wharmby, pictured with partner Charlotte and daughter Scarlett, received 10,000 likes on his Facebook page Dean's Journey

During his bodybuilder years, Mr Wharmby would grab a McDonalds for a snack, and a pizza on the way home - which he would eat while Ms Rigby cooked dinner

Mr Rigby admits that in the beginning of his bodybuilding career he took steroids for about a year to create his physique because 'everybody did it'

By November, he was in hospital 'hooked up to every machine you could think of' and doctors said he had just three weeks to live.

The tumour had got too big to operate on, and there was little the doctors felt they could do.

'I was offered chemotherapy, but doctors basically said there was no point,' Mr Wharmby said.

So Ms Rigby – whom he called his 'rock' - began his healthy regimen once more.

They also began fundraising to help pay for the treatment costs and set up the 'Dean's Journey' Facebook page.

He was also visited by a doctor in London – who hoped to shrink his tumour by using natural medicine.

But Mr Wharmby's cancer was too advanced, and he passed away on Sunday.

Writing on the Facebook page, Ms Rigby said: 'On Saturday I could see he needed a rest and I told him to go with the angels now and live free of the pain.

'He agreed. And on Sunday morning he took his last breaths with me on his bed with him.

'I am heartbroken but it was such a release and I felt shortly after that he was no longer in the room.

'I know that where he is now, he is free, he is amazed, he has shook off all his illness and pain and is pure and perfect and will live forever.'