Britain's tallest man who stood at 7ft 7in has died aged 36.

Basketball player-turned-actor Neil Fingleton suffered a lethal heart failure on Saturday.

He most famously played the giant Mag The Mighty in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones.

Basketball player-turned-actor Neil Fingleton played the giant Mag The Mighty in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones

Passed away: Neil Fingleton who stood at 7ft 7in suffered a lethal heart failure on Saturday

Fingleton was born in County Durham, England before moving to the US aged 16 to attend Holy Name Central Catholic High School in Massachusetts.

He studied at the University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship before enjoying a professional career in Spain, China, Italy, Greece and England.

The star then turned his hand to acting, also playing the villain The Fisher King in BBC's Doctor Who in 2015.

Fans took to social media to express their sorrow at his passing.

On Twitter Matthew Rose said: 'Extremely saddened to learn that #NeilFingleton has passed away, thoughts go with his family and friends in this sad time.'

A Facebook group called The Tall Persons Club posted: 'Sadly it has come to our attention that Neil Fingleton Britain's Tallest man passed away on Saturday.

Left: Fingleton playing high school basketball in 2000. Right: Fingleton playing for team world against Team USA in 2000

'Neil started off in basketball in the USA before becoming a actor and starring in the X-men first class and also recently in the Game of Thrones.

'Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family.'

Fingleton described himself as a 'happy go lucky guy' who was not bothered by his height.

He was born weighing 14lbs and reached 7ft by age 11. Fingleton joked that he's heard people ask him 'what's the weather like up there?' a million times.

Speaking in 2007, Fingleton said: 'I do cause a bit of a stir wherever I go, with people pulling out cameras, but it doesn't bother me.'

'I've never been embarrassed about my height and I actually like the size I am. It's something unique and original.

Fingleton aged 15 in 1996. He has died aged 36 after suffering heart failure

'My group of friends are great and I come from a good family, so being tall hasn't ever been an issue. I've not been self-conscious.'

Fingleton was confirmed as the tallest man in Britain in 2007, among the tallest 25 in the world. He took over from Christopher Greener who stood at 7 ft 6¼ in.

THE HEALTH RISKS OF BEING TALL Research on the links between height and health is disputed, but there is evidence people who are very tall have a higher risk of developing certain health problems. For example, the risk of some cancers is thought to be higher for tall people. Experts believe this is because having more cells in your body increases the risk of a cancer-causing mutation. Unsurprisingly, tall people are also more likely to develop back problems like scoliosis - the twisting of the spine. However, other studies have found that instances of stroke and heart failure are more frequent in shorter people. Advertisement

On the Guinness World Records website, Fingleton wrote in 2007: 'I am one of three siblings - my sister who is 6ft3in is the eldest at 30, my brother is 6ft8in who is 29 and I am 7ft7in at 26... my mother is 6ft and my father was also.

'My great grandfather was 6ft8in. I have always been taller than everyone since I can remember. My height really took off when I reached 11 and was touching 7 foot. By the time I was 16 I was 7ft5in and stopping growing at 18 when I was 7ft7.56'.

'I have never been self conscious about my height. I am more conscious of going fat and bald so that should tell you. I never let my height play a negative part in my life.

'I always do what I want, some tall people may be restricted as they are constantly stared at or people ask the same questions over and over. This is the only bad thing about being tall – the stupid remarks and questions. Other than that, being tall is great.'

'I have been doing acting work since my basketball career finished. I spent 8 years in the USA attending High School and College. I graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2004 with a degree in History.

'I have played professionally in Greece, Italy, Spain. Now I am concentrating on acting and trying to move to LA soon to jump in with both feet so to speak.'

Fingleton played the Fisher King (left) in Doctor Who in 2015 and Mag the Mighty (right) in Game of Thrones

Speaking in 2007, Fingleton (pictured with his mother in 1996) said: 'I do cause a bit of a stir wherever I go, with people pulling out cameras, but it doesn't bother me.'