Paltrow helps Avengers fan to meet his idols

Gwyneth Paltrow has made good on her promise to help a special Avengers fan's dream come true.

The 43-year-old US actress was alerted to Ryan Wilcox's desire to meet the Avengers stars - especially his favourite superhero Captain America - via social media, and surprised the 18-year-old leukaemia patient by bringing its stars Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. to Wilcox's home in San Diego.

"Today @ryanwilcox0303 got a little surprise. Thank you to the incredible #chrisevans and my better work half @robertdowneyjr for being the men you both are," Paltrow, who plays Downey Jr.'s on-screen girlfriend in the Iron Man and Avengers movies, wrote on her Instagram. She also posted a photograph of Evans and Downey Jr. smiling alongside Wilcox.

The trio spent the afternoon hanging out with the boy and his family and signed a few autographs, including one on his bedroom wall.