London, March 16 (IANS) The world's shortest man, He Pingping, who was just 29 inches tall, has died at the age of 21, a media report said Monday.

Pingping was filming a television programme in Italy when he developed chest problems.

The Chinese-born man, who became a Guinness World Records holder in March 2008, was taken to hospital in Rome for treatment but passed away Saturday. It is understood he died of heart complications, Daily Mail reported on its website.

Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, who measured Pingping in Inner Mongolia to confirm his status as the world's smallest man, paid tribute to him Monday.

He said: 'From the moment I laid on eyes on him I knew he was someone special - he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him.

'He brightened up the lives of everyone he met, and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual.'

Pingping, who was born with a form of primordial dwarfism, had been accompanied by his brother-in-law on the trip to Europe to film records show Lo Show Dei Record.

His successor will be announced at a later date, Guinness World Records said.