Ryan Reynolds treats Wrexham NHS staff to premiere of his new film
Arts Editor Nina Nannar reports on Ryan Reynolds giving back to the Wrexham community
Charity and emergency frontline workers in Wrexham were treated to a first look of Ryan Reynolds' new film on Tuesday evening, after the Hollywood star took over the local football club.
The Canadian actor bought the North Wales football club with fellow Hollywood star Rob McElhenney in February.
Speaking to ITV News, Reynolds admitted he is yet to visit to the club but wants to help the people of Wrexham in any way he can.
He said: "I'm mortified that I haven't been able to get to Wrexham because of obvious restrictions with travel right now and all throughout the last year.
"So anytime I can reach out to the community of Wrexham and do something, I am happy to do it.
"Our work in Wrexham has as much to do with the football club as it does with the community that surrounds it. It's been really exciting and it's been a lot of fun."
Wrexham AFC has sold an "unprecedented" number of season tickets with fans queuing up overnight to secure their seats ahead of the club's first full season under the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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Tickets went on general sale last week and fans were reported to have been queuing from 10:30pm the night before.
Mr Reynolds told ITV News he was ecstatic with the response from fans: "We're really excited about how much the community has embraced this season.
"This isn't anything new, the supporters at Wrexham have embraced this club forever.
"It's one of the oldest football clubs on earth so it's not anything new. I think we helped stoke something that is already there, so that's exciting!"
Reynolds and McElhenney's takeover of the club has also seen an huge demand for club merchandise in recent months.
Reynolds said shirts especially have been flying off the shelves.
"The shirts have all been sold out," he said.
"We are trying to make as many as we can to get them in the hands of the people who want them but I guess that is an uptown problem!"
Reynolds and McElhenney took over the Wrexham football club this year and promised to make the Dragons a "global force."
Ryan Reynolds explains why he gave Wrexham fans a first look of his new movie Free Guy and what the football club means to him
They announced the takeover on their social media, promoting the official trailer company sponsor of the club in the process.
Both Reynolds and McElhenney also outlined their priorities for the club's future, which is primarily to return the club to the English Football League "in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham."
Wrexham AFC is currently in the National League, one below the EFL's League Two.
The pair have already donated money to Wrexham Foodbank and McElhenney covered the costs for one lifelong Wrexham fan's adapted bathroom.The Deadpool actor spoke to ITV News ahead of the release of his latest film Free Guy in which he stars alongside Jodie Comer.