Hampshire pensioner becomes world's oldest man at 111 after death of record holder in Japan

Bob Weighton claimed the title as the world’s most senior citizen after Chitetsu Watanabe died at the age of 112 in Japan on Sunday just days after claiming his Guinness World Record certificate.

Mr Weighton, from Alton, who was born in Hull on March 29 1908, still lives in his own flat.

Reacting to the news, the former teacher said: ‘Well, I don't really feel satisfied because it means someone else has died.

‘I just accept it as a fact, it's not something I ever intended, wanted or worked for but it's just one of those facts of life.

‘You might find it amazing but it's just one of those things.’

The centenarian was the middle of seven children and has three children of his own, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was a child when the First World War and has seen the reign of five monarchs and 27 prime ministers.

He started turning down cards from the Queen after his 110th birthday after receiving too many.

Mr Weighton, who turns 112 next month, was formerly England's oldest man but became Britain's oldest after Scotland's oldest man, Alfred Smith, from St Madoes, Perthshire, who shared the same birthday with him, died last summer.

As well as having shared his birthday with Mr Smith, Mr Weighton also shares the same birthday with Britain's oldest woman Joan Hocquard, from Poole, Dorset.

Britain's second oldest woman, Violet Davies-Evans, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, was born on the following day.