The shortest man in recorded history has died, three years after entering the Guinness world records and before which he had never left his village.

Chandra Bahadur Dangi, a Nepalese man who stood 1ft 9" tall (54.6 cm), has passed away on the Polynesian island of Samoa after being ill with pneumonia.

The 75-year-old won his place in the record books on February 26 in 2012 after being found to be half an inch shorter than the previous holder, Gul Mohammed from India.

Mr Dangi then travelled to London two years later to meet Sultan Kosen from Turkey, the world's tallest man at 8ft 2" (2.48 metres).

Guinness World Records said in a statement it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his passing.

"GWR would like to express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mr Dangi’s family in this difficult time. He will be remembered forever as an iconic and extraordinary record holder."