Five’s acclaimed documentary strand continue with another remarkable tale of human experience. This film follows the story of Mexican Manuel Uribe – the world’s heaviest man – as he battles to lose weight and save his own life.

Following years of over-eating and unhealthy living, Manuel Uribe of Monterrey, Mexico, reached the incredible weight of 1,225lb – more than half a tonne. A heavy teenager at 250lb, he continued to put on weight until he was finally confined to his bed, unable to move or look after himself. After five years of living in this state, Manuel appeared on television in January 2006 to ask for help.

His desperate appeal piqued the interest of surgeons, doctors and dieticians around the world, and offers of help flooded in. Manuel decided to follow the Zone Diet, an anti-inflammatory, high-protein programme developed by Boston biochemist Dr Barry Sears. Along with the help of medics from Italy, the United States and Mexico, Manuel began to lose weight – and by February this year, had reportedly lost some 570lb – nearly 41 stone.

If Manuel succeeds in slimming down to his target weight of 220lb, he may just rewrite medical history – and enter the record books for his weight-loss achievements rather than his massive bulk. This film documents a year in Manuel’s life, meets his family and friends and examines the reality of what life is like as the world’s heaviest man.

Saturday 29 March –Friday 4 April, Channel Five.