Goodbye Big Smooth: Hundreds bid final farewell to 7ft 7in British actor, 36, who played Game of Thrones giant Mag the Mighty 

  • Neil Fingleton passed away last month after suffering a heart attack 
  • He was remembered at Durham Cathedral as 'politely spoken and gracious'
  • Fingleton moved to the United States as a teenager to play basketball
  • He later starred in both Game of Thrones and Doctor Who

By Luke Barnes For Mailonline

Published: 12:50 EDT, 17 March 2017 | Updated: 13:08 EDT, 17 March 2017

Mourners turned out in their hundreds to pay tribute to the UK's tallest man Neil Fingleton at Durham Cathedral.

Basketball player-turned-actor Mr Fingleton suffered a lethal heart failure last month.

The 7ft 7in star died at his home in Gilesgate, County Durham, aged just 36.

Mr Fingleton passed away last month in his home in Durham after a heart attack

Mr Fingleton passed away last month in his home in Durham after a heart attack

Hundreds of mourners packed Durham Cathedral to pay tribute to Mr Fingleton

Hundreds of mourners packed Durham Cathedral to pay tribute to Mr Fingleton

Fingleton was most famous for his role as the giant Mag the Mighty in the HBO series  Game of Thrones  

Fingleton was most famous for his role as the giant Mag the Mighty in the HBO series  Game of Thrones  

He most famously played the giant Mag The Mighty in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones. 

Canon Alan Bartlett, who gave an address at the service, said: 'I don't remember Neil as a global star but as a politely spoken and gracious man who just happened to be a bit taller than most of us.

'He used that height to forge two successful careers.

'His mother Christine told me it could be a struggle for him at times but through the struggle he maintained his humility.' 

Mr Fingleton was born in County Durham, England before moving to the US aged 16 to attend Holy Name Central Catholic High School in Massachusetts.

Fingleton moved to the US aged 16  to play basketball, before studying at University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship
Neil went on to enjoy a professional basketball career which took him through Spain, China, Italy, Greece and England

Fingleton moved to the US aged 16  to play basketball, before studying at University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship 

Neil's mother Christine said that her son struggled with his height at times

Neil's mother Christine said that her son struggled with his height at times

He studied at the University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship before enjoying a professional career in Spain, China, Italy, Greece and England.

THE HEALTH RISKS OF BEING TALL

Research on the links between height and health is disputed, but there is evidence people who are very tall have a higher risk of developing certain health problems.

For example, the risk of some cancers is thought to be higher for tall people. Experts believe this is because having more cells in your body increases the risk of a cancer-causing mutation. 

Unsurprisingly, tall people are also more likely to develop back problems like scoliosis - the twisting of the spine. 

However, other studies have found that instances of stroke and heart failure are more frequent in shorter people.

The star then turned his hand to acting, also playing the villain The Fisher King in BBC's Doctor Who in 2015. 

Fingleton described himself as a 'happy go lucky guy' who was not bothered by his height.

He was born weighing 14lbs and reached 7ft by age 11. Fingleton joked that he's heard people ask him 'what's the weather like up there?' a million times.

Speaking in 2007, Fingleton said: 'I do cause a bit of a stir wherever I go, with people pulling out cameras, but it doesn't bother me.'

'I've never been embarrassed about my height and I actually like the size I am. It's something unique and original.' 

On the Guinness World Records website, Fingleton wrote in 2007:  'My great grandfather was 6ft8in. I have always been taller than everyone since I can remember. 

'My height really took off when I reached 11 and was touching 7 foot. By the time I was 16 I was 7ft5in and stopping growing at 18 when I was 7ft7.56. 

Fingleton was just 36. Research suggests very tall individuals are more susceptible to certain types of health problems 

Fingleton was just 36. Research suggests very tall individuals are more susceptible to certain types of health problems 

Neil said that he'd never been embarrassed by his height
Neil's friend Phil Giarusso remarked how Neil 'touched the lives' of so many people

His friend Phil Giarusso remarked how Neil 'touched the lives' of so many people 

'I always do what I want, some tall people may be restricted as they are constantly stared at or people ask the same questions over and over. 

'This is the only bad thing about being tall – the stupid remarks and questions. Other than that, being tall is great.'

Phil Giarusso, a friend who met him when he played basketball in the United States, also paid tribute, saying: 'The value of a person's life is not in the things you accumulate, but the quality of your relationships and Neil touched the lives of all of us.'  

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