Dukan Diet guru Pierre Dukan struck off French medical register 'at own request'

Dr Dukan argued that his books and exam proposals were part of a doctor's right to "freedom of expression".

He claimed the disciplinary proceedings were null and void as he had already effectively retired from being a medical practitioner in 2008, refusing any new patients as "I didn't want to be accused of using my fame for the benefit of my practice".

But on Wednesday, medical ethics chiefs told La Croix newspaper that he had only asked to be struck off the register on April 19.

"I think he made this decision when he saw things weren't going his way in medical ethics circles," said Dr Irène Kahn-Bensaude, head of the Paris branch of the College.

She is cited as interpreting his move as damage limitation, because a guilty verdict could hurt his diet guru image.

She added that his unilateral action would not halt the disciplinary proceedings against him. "Whether or not he is struck off, (they) will go all the way," she said.

Boasting a host of celebrity followers, including Jennifer Lopez, supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, the Dukan Diet is composed of "attack", "cruise", "consolidation" and "stabilisation" phases.

But food experts in Britain and abroad have warned the regime is a 'health hazard' due to its very low vegetable and carbohydrate intake, while the British Dietitic Association voted it "the worst celebrity diet of 2011", saying it was as potentially harmful as diets urging binge drinking.