Hugh Jackman has fulfilled his “dream” of earning a Guinness World Record, just not for feats of skill he once imagined.

A Guinness World Records representative surprised the Australia star on live television in the UK on Thursday morning by confirming his induction into the record books for the longest career as a live action Marvel superhero.

Jackman’s 16 year, 228 day stint as the X Men character, Wolverine, was enough to earn him a place in the Guinness Book of Records, alongside Patrick Stewart, who played Professor Charles Xavier in the same movie franchise.

Both Jackman, 50 and Stewart, 78, starred in the original X-Men (2000) with their most recent appearance in Logan (2017), where both characters where killed off.

“When I was a kid, the Guinness Book of Records was it,” Jackman told ITV’s This Morning program.

At age 10, Jackman and his brother dreamed of setting a new Guinness World Record for the most coins snatched off the elbow.

They later set their sights on achieving the longest marathon playing badminton, singles. 

“My brother and I thought – badminton, you don’t have to play it hard, two nights without sleep -– we can definitely do that,” Jackman said.

They failed at both attempts.

Now, Jackman has achieved his childhood dream, some 40 years on.

His place in the Guinness Book of World Records will be published in 2020.

Editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records Craig Glendary described Jackman as “very down-to-Earth”, “extremely charming” and having “that star presence”.

“It’s hard to define, but when he first entered the room, you could feel a change in the air,” Mr Glendary said in a statement after presenting him with the award.

“I’d read a few years ago that he and his brother were big fans of the book when growing up, so I knew he’d be excited to find out that he’ll be appearing in the 2020 edition.

“Don’t forget that you – and your brother – are welcome to pop into the office any time you want to try for another record.”

-With agencies