Moment cyclist is thanked by Bill Nighy after stopping at red light

• The pair met outside the Queen Mother Sports Centre in Westminster yesterday
• The encounter has been praised by social media users for its wholesomeness 

This is the moment a stunned cyclist is thanked by Bill Nighy after he stopped at a red light as the Hollywood star crossed the road.

The rider, who goes by CycleGaz online, came to a stop at the lights outside the Queen Mother Sports Centre in Westminster, Central London yesterday.

The video, which has already been praised on social media for its wholesomeness, showed what appears to be the Academy Award winner Mr Nighy striding over the crossing in a long brown coat, carrying a briefcase.

The Love Actually star, who lives in Pimlico and appeared to be in high spirits on the sunny day then raised his hand in thanks for the cyclist not blowing through the red light, saying: ‘Thank you, thank you.’

Gaz then jokes in response: ‘I needed the rest.’

The rider, who goes by CycleGaz online, came to a stop at the lights outside the Queen Mother Sports Centre in Westminster, Central London yesterday

The video, which has already been praised on social media for its wholesomeness, showed what appears to be the Academy Award winner Mr Nighy striding over the crossing in a long brown coat, carrying a briefcase

Before Mr Nighy replies: ‘Oh well, I thought that when I saw you stop.’

Gaz, seemingly having not yet realised who he has just spoken to, sets off as the light turns green and laughs, saying: ‘Have a great day fella.’

The rider had been heading along Vauxhall Bridge Road before hitting the brakes as he approaches a set of traffic lights.

READ MORE: James Norton joins Bill Nighy and Thomasin McKenzie in new trailer for Netflix film JOY – based on the true story of the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’ Louise Joy Brown 

As he comes to a complete stop at the lights, a woman walking a cane wanders across, he then wait patiently as another cyclist and a couple of other pedestrians cross the street.

Before the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel actor appears and waves to the rider.

Gaz shared the video of the pair’s interaction to social media and it has now received hundreds of likes, with users complimenting the pair on their kindness towards each other.

One user said: ‘He was just in shock a cyclists stop at a red light.’

Another added: ‘Fame at last. Save this one for all the driverists (sic) who say cyclists don’t stop at red lights.’

A third wrote: ‘It’s always lovely to see an actor you admire being the gent you always thought he was.’

Another replied: ‘What a lovely man* both of you.’ A fifth commented: ‘I’ve met him a few times – he’s an absolutely lovely guy.’

Mr Nighy, who has won a BAFTA and Golden Globe award in a glittering career on the stage and in television and films, is believed to currently be in London.

Born in Caterham, Surrey, reports suggest that the 74-year-old lives in Pimlico, London, which is known for being an upscale residential area in southwest London, near to Westminster and Chelsea.

Nighly started his career on the stage in Liverpool in the 1970s but has gone on to star in hugely successful films, such as Love Actually (2003), Hot Fuzz (2007), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) and Living (2022), the last of which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Read more