British Liberal politician Cyril Smith relaxes on the beach at Margate, prior to the morning session of the annual Party Conference. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 1979

One of the finalists in the British Heart Foundation's “Slimheart of Great Britain” contest, Joe Metcalfe, from Jarrow, looking at a plate of food. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 20th July 1976

English author Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 – 1936) in the garden of his home in Beaconsfield. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 1933

George Dyler, champion beer drinker of the Midlands, downs a pint in four seconds. (Photo by David E Steen/Getty Images). 1954

Former prime minister of Rhodesia, Sir Roy Welensky (1907 – 1991) enjoying a swim in his pool. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Express/Getty Images). 16th November 1965

Mrs Johnson from Stepney in east London down in Kent for the hop-picking season. (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 22nd September 1951

A picket at a lorry depot near Surrey Docks preventing vehicles entering during a lorry drivers strike. (Photo by Steve Burton/Getty Images). 1978

A portly gentleman tucks into a hot dog. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1940

A rather large woman riding a mini-autobike.Tiny Griffin preparing to take part in a South California Bicycle Parade at Ocean Park. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1935

Jim Taylor, a thirty stone unemployed labourer, skipping near his home in Salterbeck, Workington in Cumbria. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 17th April 1974

American wrestlers, the McGuire brothers who weigh 300 and 259 kilograms respectively, sitting on motorbikes during a tour of Japan. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images). 1974

Mrs June Webb, the founder of the “Big Girl Club” shops at a clothing store which specialises in outsize garments. (Photo by Harry Dempster/Express/Getty Images). 20th October 1966

Actor 15-stone Barry Spead attending auditions for the role of an overweight boy in the new BBC series “Grange Hill”. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 27th February 1981