Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson helps out a father of two in heartwarming Christmas video

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson’s latest role as Santa Claus may be his best yet.

The former wrestler turned Hollywood actor donned a festive suit to surprise a widowed father of two who had been struggling to afford Christmas presents for his children.

“Super dad” and collector Jay Abel was having to sell off his favourite memorabilia to raise money to buy them gifts and had contacted Johnson to ask for a retweet of his eBay appeal after having difficulties finding work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The pair then met virtually on actor John Krasinski's YouTube show Some Good News where Johnson said: "Well, the truth is, I saw your tweet and your tweet really, really moved me."

Afterwards he told Abel, who lost his wife three years ago, to take his items off the online marketplace because “Dwanta Claus is going to take care of all of that".

The Rock added: “I also want your kids to know what kind of father they have. So, I hear that you like comics… when this whole thing is done and when it’s safe, I want you to come down to Southern California and I want you to visit us at the DC Universe and we’ll show you around, give you a whole bunch of cool DC swag.”

Johnson then promised the “speechless” comic book fan he was going to bind and sign his Black Adam script for him once the movie had wrapped.

“I gotta tell you, you deserve it all, man,” The Rock continued.

“Your story is an inspiration. You are an inspiration, not only to myself, to Dwanta Claus, but certainly to John, certainly to everybody who hears your story.

“You inspire so many people because the truth is you represent so many parents around the world who are going through the struggle this Christmas.”

It was also revealed that FedEx would donate $5m to the charity Toys For Tots after hearing about Abel's efforts to provide for his children.

Krasinski said Abel’s story was his “favourite of the holiday season”.

The former US Office star first tried to purchase the father’s memorabilia himself under a pseudonym but Abel believed he was a fraudulent buyer.