Russell Tovey Takes A Sexy Superhero Stand Against HIV

Russell Tovey, who played gay superhero The Ray on television, is using his heroic persona for a good cause. The actor stripped to just his skivvies while working with artist Christopher Garrington to support HIV research and treatment. 

"I actually reached out to him through social media. He came back quickly and was really enthusiastic. I wanted to paint someone who had passion for this important cause and he was top of that list," Garrington told GayTimes.

Tovey's buff build may have been modeled after his on-screen character, but the actor was actually barely dressed at all - other than the mask, cape, and a pair of tighty whities, of course. 

Thanks to @garringtonart for this painted Number - made especially for the #terrancehigginstrust @christiesinc auction coming up @thtorguk uk #painting Monday April 16th #thtauction

A post shared by Russelltovey (@russelltovey) on Mar 22, 2018 at 11:51am PDT

"I decided to strip him down to his pants and use a bedsheet cape to show you don’t need 'superpowers' to become a homemade superhero. Russell’s openness and success shows everyone growing up that can their dreams are achievable," said Garrington.

The duo is using the social media post to call on others to support the Terrence Higgins Trust charity auction at Christie's auction house on April 16, a charity Tovey has worked with many times in the past. 

The painting will be auctioned off alongside other powerful works, such as a painting by Turner Prize winning Travey Emin and a historic photograph of two men on a hospital bed within London’s first AIDS ward.