Russell Crowe has praised a chocolate statue of his Maximus character from the Gladiator blockbuster film that was unveiled at a festival in Malta.

The Australian actor, 59, took to social media on Thursday saying: “Some people get statues made of bronze.

“Some in marble.

“In Malta, they have made me out of … chocolate !!!

“This weekend in beautiful Malta is the world-famous Hamrun Chocolate festival.

“The artist is Tiziano Cassar.

“When the competition is over, I will be available to eat…”

It is the 13th edition of the festival, with the chocolate artist Cassar saying, following Crowe’s tweet: “Honored to be acknowledged by the actor himself.”

He added: “Looking forward to showcasing the final life-size showpiece tomorrow.”

The festival took place on 22nd October, with live demonstrations from top chefs and chocolatiers showcasing their skills.

The event featured chocolate paintings on canvas, chocolate sculptures, and more.

Gladiator was a 2000 film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crow and Joaquin Phoenix.

The film centres around Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who was close to Emperor Marcus Aurelius but who loses everything when the emperor’s son Commodus murders his father and seizes power.

After surviving an attempt to have him executed, Maximus returns home to find his wife and son murdered.

After collapsing, he is captured by slavers and sold as a gladiator, where he proves himself in local tournaments and steadily gains popularity that allows him to defy the new emperor.