Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman surprised primary school pupils with a special message to wish them good luck in their performance of songs from his movie-musical, The Greatest Showman.

Mr Jackman, a former teacher, assured children at Mitton Manor Primary School in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, that their performance will “crush it, rock it, because life is what you choose to make it”.

He told them to “have a great performance and enjoy every second”.

The students had been learning about circuses, and performed songs from The Greatest Showman in a school assembly.

The performance included a rendition of the Oscar-nominated anthem This Is Me from the film.

Their teacher described the children as being “over the moon” at receiving the message from the Hollywood celebrity.

This is not the first time Jackman, who previously taught PE at Uppingham School in Rutland, has hit headlines when dealing with pupils. In an awkward red-carpet encounter, Jackman recognised a former student-turned-journalist who did not remember his old teacher.

Jackman responded by asking in mock anger how the student’s physical education had progressed.