​Luther actor auctions himself off in aid of a charity which empowers women

Idris Elba is up for auction as a Valentine’s date to raise money for charity.

The Luther actor has made an online video (see below) in which he offers himself to the highest bidder for a romantic evening involving cocktails, food and “whatever your heart desires”.

Proceeds from the auction will go to WE (Women Everywhere) Can Lead, a charity organisation “working to empower and educate girls throughout Africa.”

Elba, best known for his role in U.S. television series The Wire, was last year named as one of the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hands out the Oscars.

The actor, whose father is from Sierra Leone, is one of the frontrunners to be cast as the next James Bond, the fictional British spy movie franchise.

The more donations a person makes, the higher the chances of landing a date with the British heartthrob.

Winners will receive travel and four-star hotel accommodations, plus dinner with Elba which is promised to be “the most delicious meal of your life.”

In the video he says: “And once we’re feeling comfortable we can order whatever your heart desires,” he adds looking into the camera.

“Maybe some truffles. Perhaps some steak… pepper soup and fufu… and you pound the yams. And you know what? I’ll let you pound my yams.”

Isha Sesay, founder of WE, said: “Idris and I were messaging earlier on and I said, ‘I think we may have a female stampede on our hands.’”

“He said, ‘As long as we raise money.’”