As pop culture lookalikes take over city parks and social feeds around the world, among them emerged Jack Wall O’Reilly – the Paul Mescal doppelgänger who won a lookalike contest earlier this month with his impressive shorts, baseball cap and hoodie.

As we dropped by Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show next to his Gladiator II With co-stars Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen, Ball introduced Mescal to Wall O’Reilly via video call.

“These are bananas,” Mescal exclaimed, laughing. “I saw the photo, you captured the spirit of me very well.” Referring to O’Reilly’s ode to his signature shorts, Mescal praised his lookalike: “It was a completely committed look.”

The creepiness prompted a request from Washington, who commented, “Wait, wait. Turn sideways. I want to see the profile!”

Wall O’Reilly said, “Yeah, everyone says it’s the profile,” and then turned his head from side to side, causing the studio to gasp.

Before signing off, Wall told O’Reilly that he had just graduated with a Masters in Screenwriting. “I’m a big fan, huge respect for everyone there,” he said. “It is clear Paul, Nazon is one of my favorite movies. He is a great inspiration to young creative people in Ireland and around the world. And I hope that one day, through the right channels, when I have an idea that I’m passionate about and that’s developed enough, that maybe I can bring it to you.”

The actor replied: ‘Oh Jack, you are an absolute gentleman. So, so sweet.”