World's oldest man: Hull-born Bob Weighton dies from cancer aged 112

The world's oldest man, Bob Weighton, who was born in Hull, has died aged 112 from cancer, his family has confirmed.

The former teacher and engineer, who lived in Alton, Hampshire, took up the title of the oldest man in the world in February after the death of the previous holder Chitetsu Watanabe of Japan.

Confirming his death to PA, his family said in a statement: "With great sadness, the Weighton family announces the death of our beloved Bob Weighton.

"He died peacefully in his sleep, from cancer, on the morning of Thursday 28 May 2020 at his flat in Alton, Hampshire, where he lived independently. Aged 112, Bob was the oldest man in the world.

Mr Weighton's final birthday celebration on March 29 was held behind closed doors after the imposition of the Covid-19 lockdown, and he described how the "world is in a bit of a mess" with the crisis.

But despite his title of world's oldest man, Mr Weighton declined a birthday card from the Queen, saying he did not want one at the taxpayer's expense and he had received at least 10 from her already.

Mr Weighton was born in Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire, on March 29, 1908, which by coincidence is the same day as Britain's oldest woman Joan Hocquard, from Poole, Dorset, and also that of Alf Smith from St Madoes, Perthshire, Scotland, who shared the title of Britain's oldest man until his death last year.

The father-of-three is survived by his children David and Dorothy, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.