Ryan Reynolds has thanked his friend and business partner Rob McElhenney for helping him through the "stress" of making 'Deadpool and Wolverine'

He said in an Instagram post about Rob, with whom he owns UK football team Wrexham AFC: "A word on my 'darling' friend, @robmcelhenney. Rob very kindly did a cameo in #DeadpoolAndWolverine which will hopefully live on in the digital extras.

"While editing a movie, they say you 'sometimes have to kill your darlings.' "And with a heavy heart (and through great outside intervention) I had to kill a darling with this cameo... ."

Rob had a secret role as a soldier for the film, with his face hidden behind a helmet.

Ryan added the scene featuring his pal "wasn't working the way we'd originally constructed it".

He said: "Rob was the only reason it stayed in the cut for as long as it did, because even under a TVA mask and helmet, you can feel him smouldering with a raw and almost infinite reservoir of talent, writerly wit and, 'I create hit TV shows' swagger.

"Don't even get me started on Wrexham. I wouldn't know a love like @wrexham_afc if it weren't for Rob McElhenney."

Ryan said making 'Deadpool and Wolverine' was "stressful", so having Rob around had helped lighten his load.

He went on: "I loved making this movie but it wasn't without stress. There was a lot of expectation - and I'm pretty sure the most well written villain in cinema history is 'Expectation'.

"And when you do stressful stuff, it feels good when friends are nearby.

"And even though I'm mortified he flew all the way to London for a cameo that wasn't meant to be, I'm grateful my friend was there with me on that set.

"When I see Rob, my heart-rate slows and my nervous system stops yelling at me. He shows up for people. And he showed up for me."