By Linzi Watson

Last updated at 13:18, Thursday, 26 May 2011

A Cumbrian pub owner returned from a holiday with more than the usual holiday snaps – after bumping into the world’s tallest man.

Ian Brown, centre left, with his brother Robin, right and Sultan Kosen

Ian Brown, who visited Cuba with his family for his daughter Gemma’s wedding, had a chance meeting with 8ft 1in Sultan Kosen from Turkey.

The owner of Carlisle’s Cumberland Inn was eating at the International Hotel in Havana when in walked the lofty record holder.

“We were in the restaurant adjacent to the hallway having champagne and lobster when we saw a lot of paparazzi and a film crew,” he said. “He was quite far away but I could see one man towering above everyone else – I thought he must be standing on a box.”

Sultan, who also holds the world record for the largest feet and hands, was seen to “duck down” getting into the hotel lift before coming into the dinning room to where he met Mr Brown.

Mr Brown, 65, who also owns the Royal Thai restaurant in Penrith, added: “We were the only ones having a meal so when Sultan came into the dinning room we got to meet him.

“I shook his hand and it was huge.

“He had a camera crew with him and he told us he was filming something for the Guinness World Records.”

Sultan posed for a picture with Mr Brown and his brother Robin and he towered above both men who are around 6ft tall.

The record holder is the subject of a documentary which airs at 10pm on Channel 4 tonight which follows him on his quest to find a cure for his gigantism.

World’s Tallest Man: Looking for Love is part of the Bodyshock series. It also sees the 27-year-old invite film makers into his home in Ankara and to visit his family in rural Turkey.

The film follows Sultan on an journey across the world as he goes in search of life-saving surgery at 10pm.

First published at 11:31, Thursday, 26 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk