Diet guru Atkins 'weighed 18st when he died'

Robert Atkins, the controversial diet guru, weighed more than 18 stone when he died in April 2002, according to leaked medical records.

The report suggests that the 6ft tall 72-year-old was clinically obese when he died after slipping in an icy New York street and hitting his head.

It was released by Physicians for Responsible Medicine, a group which promotes a vegetarian diet and maintains that the Atkins regime poses weight and health risks to those - including three million Britons - who follow it.

Dr Atkins's New Diet Revolution advocates a low-carbohydrate regime of meat, eggs and cheese and discourages eating bread, rice and fruit.

His books have sold 15 million copies worldwide and attracted millions of followers including celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Geri Halliwell.

Dr Atkins's widow, Veronica, has accused "unscrupulous individuals" of trying to use his medical history "to destroy the reputation and great work of my late husband". She said: "His health problems late in life were completely unrelated to his diet, or any diet."