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Celebrity bodybuilding champion Rich Piana has lost his fight for life after being placed in a coma following a "medical emergency" at his home.

The fitness world is in mourning following his death.

Posting a message on Instagram his estranged wife Sara Piana: "I'm in tears writing this that @1dayumay has just passed away. I can can hardly believe this... I am so saddened & heartbroken that he didn't make it."

Rich, who has more than 1million followers on Instagram , had been placed in the coma earlier this month.

The 46-year-old, who had admitted to taking steroids since he was a teenager, fell ill at his home in Florida on August 10.

His devastated friends and fans have paid tribute to him on social media .

James Mooney, owner of Gunsmith Clothing, wrote on Twitter: "Gone too soon brother. What a sad day, can't even believe it's true...truly heartbreaking."

Personal trainer Josef Rakich added: "OMG...so sad, I am in shock."

Mr Piana's wealth is estimated to have been boosted massively by the growth of social media in recent years - to a staggering $2.5million (£1.9million).

His work out plans and ripped social media posts gained notoriety, especially on Instagram.

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(Image: Instagram/c_no5) (Image: Instagram)

Mr Piana ate NINE meals a day as well as drinking huge protein shakes, according to a Deadspin profile last year.

Each of his videos routinely got 200,000 or more views on YouTube - despite each being around an hour in length.

Just days after he was placed in the coma, his girlfriend insisted he was "alive and fighting" and urged people to send "positive thoughts".

Chanel Jansen said: "I just want to be clear [Piana] is STILL ALIVE. All myself and his family are asking for is POSITIVE thoughts, prayers, and love."

(Image: Instagram)

Piana was best known for his physically huge size - developed through gruelling workouts, massive meals and drug taking, which he freely admits to.

Mr Piana, who began bodybuilding at 15, famously admitted in 2016 to taking steroids - according to The Epoch Times having been on them on and off for 27 years.

He published his drug taking cycles on the internet, saying he started taking them at 18-years-old after losing his first competition.

(Image: Instagram)

(Image: Instagram)

His drive to be the biggest or best through steroid use has prompted other bodybuilders to even make videos to plead him to stop.

The admission, while attracting much criticism, did not appear to dent his popularity online.

Mr Piana warned steroids will only hurt your body over time, adding: "If you have the choice to stay natural or do steroids, stay natural."

It is the second death of a body builder this week.

Dallas McCarver died aged just 26 after reportedly choking on food.