Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have invited a nine-year-old boy with cancer to a Wrexham game so he can meet his Deadpool hero.
Riley Bains from Hartlepool was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in 2023 and had his lower leg amputated.
This year, he found out his cancer had returned and spread and is currently undergoing further treatment.
Riley’s plight caught the attention of Hollywood megastar Reynolds when Micky Day from cancer charity Miles for Men shared an online appeal on BBC Radio Tees on X, formerly Twitter.
The Free Guy actor, 48, spoke to Riley and his mother, Sarah, in a video call and invited him for a meet-up at his football club Wrexham A.F.C. in Wales.
His wife Lively, 37, crashed their chat at one point and jokingly asked Riley which superhero he prefers, Wolverine or Reynolds’ alter-ego, Deadpool.
Reynolds kicked off the heartwarming chat, which was aired on the BBC, by saying, “Boo!”
The actor, who was speaking from his Los Angeles mansion, went on: “Well, hello there, Riley! I'm so excited to meet you, I've heard so much about you.”
Reynolds then complimented Riley’s Deadpool vs Wolverine attire, saying: “I like your shirt!” prompting the youngster to laugh and hold it out for the camera.
“You've been going through a lot and I cannot wait to meet you,” Reynolds added, before inviting Riley to a Wrexham game and promising to make it “one of the best days of your life.”
Gossip Girl actress Lively then appeared behind Reynolds, chiming in: “Hey sweetheart! You're wearing Deadpool and Wolverine - which one's your favourite?”
She playfully covered her husband’s ears, assuring Riley, “I won’t tell!”
After she left, Reynolds jokingly said to Riley and his mother: “I have no idea who that was. Thank you for playing along, I was frightened as well.”
He concluded, “Thank you for taking the time out of your day. I really, really liked hanging out with you.”
Riley shyly thanked the actor and director, who signed off, “Lots of love, okay?”
The youngster’s mother Sarah told the BBC after the encounter: “It was incredible that they took so much time out of their busy day to make one little boy feel special.
“You could see what it meant to [Riley]. He was starstruck, obviously. Dreams do come true.”
Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney, 47, are co-owners of Wrexham A.F.C., having bought the club in February 2021.
They have brought global attention to the small town of Wrexham by helping the struggling football club get promoted in the English Football League, a spectacular endeavour that was captured in the hugely popular documentary, Welcome to Wrexham.
