Idris Elba breaks his second record in just three months

No he can officially add record breaker to his impressive CV, twice.

The 42-year old actor Idris Elba has become the first ever make to appear solo on the cover of Maxim magazine.

Speaking about the news, editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear said “we’ve never in US Maxim history had a man on the cover solo.”

Previously men have appeared but alongside women so Idris’ cover makes it a first in the magazine’s 20 year history. We’re pretty pleased about this too.

According to the magazine they couldn’t think of anyone else in the world “more badass” than Idris to take the spot.

Describing the actor, musician and race car driver as “complex” and “sophisticated”, editors said “he was really the perfect embodiment of what I think the new Maximman is.”

Underneath the headline ‘Man Up’ the popular TV star is sporting his trademark beard and cuts quite the stylish figure in a black and grey animal print jacket.

'The guy broke the [British] land speed record which hasn't been touched since like 1928. He's sort of a living, breathing superhero,' said the magazine.

In May The Wire actor drove across the Pendine Sands in Wales at 180.361 mph to break the world land speed record. In a Bentley Continental GT, as you do.

He tells the magazine: “I just like the velocity, and I guess I’m slightly addicted to the risk of it.”

While there were plenty of rumours that got everyone's hopes up that he would take on the role spy James Bond, he admitted he doesn't think that will happen. He will however be on our screens in Star Trek Beyond.