Robert Downey Jr delights cancer patients on Great Ormond Street visit

Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr poses with Great Ormond Street patient Ethan Miller, seven
Sebastian Mann26 April 2016

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr gave young patients a dose of Hollywood on a visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The actor dropped by the central London paediatric centre's cancer ward ahead of the European premiere of Captain America: Civil War in London on Tuesday.

He spent Monday afternoon visiting patients and their families including seven-year-old Ethan Miller, who suffers from the rare blood disease ITP as well as type 1 diabetes.

His father Lee said: "Ethan has been in and out of hospital a lot in the past three years. He watches the films all the time and virtually lives in his Iron Man costume.

Star visit: Downey Jr also met seven-year-old Michael, from Edmonton

"Ethan was over the moon to meet his hero and it has really helped to lift his spirits."

The actor holds one-year-old Charlie Dawson, from Essex, during his visit to a cancer ward

The two posed together in the hospital chapel, with Ethan wearing his Iron Man costume.

Downey has played Tony Stark - otherwise known as Iron Man - since 2008.

Great Ormond Street is one of the world's leading children's units, treating young patients with rare, complex and life-threatening conditions.

The visit was organised by Disney officials, who have worked with the hospital's charity since 2008, raising more than £10 million for the unit's redevelopment.

The Evening Standard recently helped to raise more than £3.5 million for the hospital as part of its Give to GOSH appeal which ended in February.

Additional reporting by PA

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