NEIL Fingleton, Game of Thrones star and the UK’s tallest man at a towering 2.3 metres, has died aged 36.

The actor and basketball player, who played Mag the Mighty in the hit show, reportedly died of heart failure, reports The Sun .

The star was named the tallest man in the UK and European Union in 2007 and was among the 25 tallest men in the world.

He studied at the University of North Carolina in the US and had a successful basketball career playing in America, Spain, China, Italy, Greece and England.

After turning to acting Fingleton, who grew up in County Durham, appeared in Dr Who, X-men: First Class, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Game of Thrones.

In 2007 he told The Journal: “To be the tallest is like a special gift, it’s unique.

“I’ve never had any problems with my height. The thing people have to understand is being exceptionally tall is not a disease — it’s just a genetic thing,” he said.

“I have never been self conscious about my height. I am more conscious of going 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.”

Tributes have started to flood in on social media.

Game Of Thrones fan Gary Windle Tweeted a picture of himself with the actor and wrote: “Rip to the giant that is Neil Fingleton, Mag the Mighty, Game of Thrones, rest in peace mate, gutted.”

Paul Nilsen posted: “RIP Neil Fingleton — basketball player and GameOfThrones actor. Just 36-years-old. Thoughts with his family & friends [a Durham lad as well].”

RIP Neil Fingleton -basketball player and @GameOfThrones actor. Just 36-years-old. Thoughts with his family & friends [a Durham lad as well] pic.twitter.com/iw0zFuvHgL — Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) February 26, 2017

How early, how sad: “Game of Thrones star and UK's tallest man Neil Fingleton dies aged 36”

https://t.co/U8ZsRA9TzS — Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 26, 2017

Broadcaster and journalist Jeremy Vine said: “How early, how sad.”

A statement posted on the Tall Persons Club group Facebook page on Sunday read: “Sadly it has come to our attention that Neil Fingleton Britain’s Tallest man passed away on Saturday.

GoT behind the scenes look at visual effects - Season 6 GoT behind the scenes look at visual effects - Season 6

“Neil became Britain’s Tallest man in 2007 passing the height of Chris Greener.

“Neil started off in basketball in the USA before becoming an 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.”

This article first appeared in The Sun.