The heaviest man in the UK was nearly sent to the London Zoo because he was too large to fit in a hospital X-ray machine.

The medical professionals considering the option of sending Britain’s heaviest man to London Zoo for an X-ray ultimately decided against it due to the expenses involved.

At a whopping 47st, Jason Holton is so big that he’s unable to be X-rayed under a normal machine at a standard hospital. The 33-year-old was in the middle of a horrific medical episode where his entire body had swollen up due to a suspected blood clot and internal organ failure. Doctors seriously contemplated sending him to the zoo for an X-ray using a huge machine normally used on zebras.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: “My mum was convinced I’d suffered a mini heart attack and my doctor looked shocked when he saw the state of me – he was amazed I was still alive. At one point they were talking about taking me to London Zoo to have my heart and lungs examined with equipment they normally use on large animals like zebras.

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“They said that was the only way they could properly X-ray my heart. My doctor was convinced this was the best thing for me, but they decided against it in the end, I’m not sure why – I think it was because of the cost.”

Mr Holton was so scared by the situation and just how “close to death” he was, he was convinced that he was about to die, and even thought he was “going to explode” due to the swelling. However, he eventually stabilised and was sent to Easy Surrey Hospital for treatment, but doctors are now claiming that he will not live past the age of 40 due to his extreme size.

Looking for any kind of solution, he has contemplated using the weight loss jabs soon to be available via the NHS, but claims he’s hit a brick wall when trying to get them. Speaking to Talk TV, he urged the UK’s medical leaders to make him a priority for it.

He said: “I believe time’s over for me in general. I’m coming up 34 now. I know I’ve got to try something. Make it a priority for people that really need it – that really need it. Not people that are just chubby or obese, because I don’t feel that’s the problem.”

“I could be dead for sure (by 2025). It’s a timebomb now.”

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