Russell Tovey recently stripped down to his underpants to pose for an oil painting that will benefit the Terrence Higgins Trust, a British charity that helps people living with HIV.
Artist Christopher Garrington has painted the 36-year-old British heartthrob in nothing more than a green cape, a blue mask, and a pair of tighty-whities in an original 48″ x 35″ painting.
“I have stripped him down to his Y fronts and bedsheet cape to show you don’t need to have ‘superhero powers’ to become someone’s hero,” the artist explains.
Tovey, who says he always wanted to be a superhero when he was a kid, is thrilled with Garrington’s work.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“I always want to do my bit for Terrence Higgins Trust and this was a completely different way to do it,” Tovey says. “I absolutely love Chris’s concept. He’s a very talented artist.”
The actor continues, “All that’s left is for it to find a good home and raise lots and lots of cash to make sure Terrence Higgins Trust can keep supporting people living with HIV.”
The painting is a reference to Tovey’s performance as gay superhero The Ray in “Crisis on Earth X,” a four-part primetime crossover within the CW’s Arrow-verse that aired last year.
In February, Tovey announced his engagement to rugby player/former adult film star Steve Brockman.
Bidding on the oil painting is currently underway.
Related: Russell Tovey’s new footballer fiancé has a secret adult film past
Aromaeus
If it was in a book with a collection of pieces like it I might buy it but I’m not hanging that anywhere in my house.
ChrisK
I would. Just to have people always asking me why do I have that on my wall??
Heywood Jablowme
Shirtless oil painting? I don’t know about you, but I don’t cover up any of my oil paintings with shirts.
MaxTaste
Something about the nipple looks odd.
Kangol
What does his superhero do, beat up femme gay men?
Amalgamate
Careful, redneck. Most gays could kick your fat out of shape asss up and down the street twice!
CanadianGuy62
D!ck + All = nada!
chris33133
I prefer him as the Werewolf in Being Human.
paulmodibe
Queerly can always do better, too G rated, I keep coming back still hoping.
Amalgamate
Hes really skinny. Shouldn’t he have worked out a bit before posing?
Lacuevaman
a dollar three eighty!