has humorously claimed that his "wildest dreams" had been realised when he came face-to-face with a BBC star, who bore a striking resemblance to him.

The 36-year-old was talking to the stars of on his Radio 2 show on Saturday, when he noticed that one of the newest Gladiators looked somewhat familiar.

Hammer, whose real name is Tom Wilson, is a champion rower with a background in football and sprinting.

Standing at an impressive 6ft 5in tall and described as "nearly 20 stone of raw power", Rylan, who is 6ft 4in himself, suggested to viewers that Hammer could be his "brother, maybe from the same mother".

Welcoming the Gladiators cast onto his show, Rylan enthused: "Who doesn't love a Gladiator? It's like my wildest dreams come true."

He later found himself sitting opposite the show's latest star, and jokingly suggested that Hammer could serve as inspiration for his own potential physique.

He quipped: "Hammer is sat directly opposite me and we find it strange looking in each other's face. I feel like I'm the product if you ordered Hammer off Wish or one of those websites.

"I feel like I need you walking around my house so I can be like 'this is the motivation I need'. This is what I could look like if I did it properly."

When Hammer made his debut on the popular show earlier this month, Rylan took to social media to jest about their similarity, commenting: "Daddy?".

Social media users seemed to concur with Rylan's observation, as one joked: "The minute I saw him, I said he looked like your older brother."

Another fan humorously suggested: "Linda [Rylan's mother] got some explaining to do Rylan!".

A third chimed in with: "Need to have an awkward talk with your Mum!".

Additionally, a fourth suggested that Hammer appeared to be the "love child" of Rylan and ex-Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks.

Amother commented: "I thought it was you sporting new hair extensions!".

Some fans also drew comparisons between Hammer and 90s Gladiators legend Wolf (Michael Van Wijk), while others saw a resemblance to Russell Brand.

Hammer, along with Cyclone, is one of the two latest male Gladiators introduced this month.

In a chat with the BBC, he declared: "A lot like a Hammer I'm forged, not made. I'm a hard hitter who's not only a massive unit but quick and explosive. I'm a surprise. I'm here to stop contenders. I mean business.

"I prepare by taking my state of readiness to the very edge, channelling my energy into the next task ahead. I also always think about not letting the people around me down."