Ryan Reynolds said having a daughter was a “dream come true for me” as he was announced as People’s new Sexiest Dad Alive.

The actor, 39, and his wife Blake Lively became parents to daughter James, who Ryan has nicknamed Shrimpie, in December 2014.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Blake and Ryan are happy parents to daughter James (AP/PA)

And he told the magazine he was secretly hoping for a little girl all along.

“I never admitted it out loud, to myself or my wife, but I really wanted a little girl. It’s the best.”

He added: “Having a daughter was a dream come true for me. I would have made a terrible king.”

And the doting dad is still completely besotted by his new arrival.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Blake and Ryan fell for each other on a double date where they ended up ditching their partners (Thibault Camus/AP/PA)

“I don’t have to prepare to be wrapped around my daughter’s finger. I have been wrapped around her little finger since the day she plopped out into this world,” he said.

He met 28-year-old wife Blake on the set of The Green Lantern six years ago but said they were just “buddies” until  they went on a double date – with other people.

He revealed to SiriusXM: “About a year after Green Lantern had come and gone and we were both single we went on a double date – she was on a date with another guy and I was on a date with another girl – and it was like the most awkward date for the respective parties because we were just like fireworks coming across.”

It worked out happily ever after because the pair have been married since 2012.

Ryan’s latest film Deadpool is out in cinemas now.