Boy, 9, befriended by actor dies from cancer
BBCA nine-year-old-boy whose dreams famously came true when he met Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has died from cancer.
Riley Bains, from Hartlepool, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2023 and had his lower leg amputated.
His story touched thousands when, in December last year, an appeal on BBC Radio Tees with local charity Miles for Men led him to a Wrexham get-together with Reynolds.
On Tuesday, Riley's favourite football club Hartlepool United halted their game against Tamworth in the ninth minute for a minute's applause in his honour.
Riley's mother Sarah Kidson penned a tribute to her son following his death.
"We will forever be proud of our little warrior," she wrote on Facebook.
"Rest in paradise, gorgeous boy. Love you to the moon and back."
'Best piggy-back ever'
Posting on social media, Reynolds said Riley wasn't "here long enough".
"You left a ton of love behind…. But you left a bunch of people behind who'll take good care of that love," he said.
"See ya down the road. Best piggy-back passenger ever."
Last year, an online appeal by Micky Day from cancer charity Miles for Men on BBC Radio Tees was spotted by the actor on X.
Reynolds invited Riley and his family to Wrexham AFC, the football club the actor co-owns.
During their time together, Reynolds described Riley as "an inspiration".
His mother previously shared that the meeting was something they "would never forget."