He was once the world’s fattest man weighing in at a staggering 70 stone and consuming up to 20,000 calories a day.

But it seems that after losing 48 stone following NHS surgery, it’s not just Paul Mason’s health that has a more promising outlook – his weight loss has boosted his love life.

Rebecca Mountain, of Orange, near Boston, Massachusetts, got in touch with 52-year-old Mr Mason via Facebook after she saw a television documentary about his extreme obesity.

And today, after hours of Skye sessions and Facebook chats, the couple met for the first time in real life.

We found love: Paul Mason, who was once believed to be the fattest man in the world, has found love online with Rebecca Mountain. They met today for the first time on This Morning

Speaking on This Morning, Miss Mountain said as soon as she found out about Paul and his struggle to get the NHS to remove eight stone of excess skin removed she was keen to help: ‘I saw Paul’s documentary years and years ago and just felt really connected right away.

‘I just felt compelled to reach out and just try to help and that’s all it was.

‘I have a lot of drive and just thought I could write letters and support. Things I set my sights on, I just go and do. I just knew that I should try and help.

‘He’s incredible, a genuine person. Incredibly honest and open about the difficulties he’s been through, which helped our relationship.’

Speaking about how their cyber relationship developed, Paul, of Ipswich, Suffolk, said: ‘Our first chat on Skype was over four hours and it just felt like we’d been talking for years.

‘At the end of the conversation, I just said to her “what time tomorrow then?”

Reaching out: Rebecca got in touch with 52-year-old Mr Mason via Facebook after she saw a television documentary about his extreme obesity

‘When I met her at the airport, it was far better than the picture you see on Skype, it was so natural – like meeting someone you’ve met ten years ago.’

Paul now plans to move to America and help Rebecca with her business.

Despite having gastric bypass surgery four years ago and losing a staggering 48 stone – Paul has been left with eight stone of excess skin.

Speaking about the operation he needs to remove the skin that stops him from mobilising, he said: ‘To have that operation, I have to prove I am a stable weight.

‘The NHS wait until your weight plateaus, it’s a financial thing over here.’

As he was: As his weight soared to 70 stone, he was left unable to stand or walk before finally becoming bed-ridden and being looked after full time by council carers

Big appetite: At the height of his food addiction, he was eating an entire packet of bacon, four sausages and four eggs complete with bread and hash browns for breakfast

A doctor in New York has offered her services to remove his excess skin for free.

The only finances he has to find are the aftercare, the stay in hospital and the medication, which will cost around £12,000.

New man: He has lost 48 stone but has been left with 8 stone of excess skin, which he now wants removed

Speaking tearfully about the impact of the operation on his relationship, he said: ‘It’s a question of whether she’s prepared to stay with me whether the next operation is successful or not and if I’m in the wheelchair for the rest of my life.’

Miss Mountain added: ‘Who is in there now is the person I love and whoever he is after the operation is irrelevant to me.

‘I want him to achieve his goals and that’s the most important thing.’

Mr Mason claimed his binge eating began in his 20s at the time of his father’s death and a deterioration in his mother’s health.

Mr Mason quit his job as a postman when his weight prevented him from completing his deliveries.

As his weight soared he was left unable to stand or walk before finally becoming bed-ridden and being looked after full time by council carers.

Firefighters had to demolish the front wall of his former home so they could drive a fork lift truck inside to lift him out and put him into an ambulance when he needed a hernia operation in 2002.

Mr Mason was later given a purpose-built housing association home with extra wide doorways so he could move around.

At the height of his food addiction, he was eating an entire packet of bacon, four sausages and four eggs complete with bread and hash browns for breakfast.

Read more: Daily Mail