Dwayne Johnson has paid tribute to a Scots wrestler who was found dead in his Ayrshire home this week.

Adrian 'Lionheart' McCallum was the reigning ICW (Insane Championship Wrestling) world heavyweight champion, but was found dead at the age of 36 on Wednesday.

The Rock has expressed his sorrow at never being able to shake hands with the late Scots performer after an appeal was launched by his distraught girlfriend.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "So sorry to hear the news of Adrian McCallum's passing.

"He was a big wrestling star in the UK. Loved and respected.

READ MORE: Tributes flood in for Scottish wrestler Adrian McCallum

"Never had the opportunity to shake this man's hand but sending his family, friends and the UK wrestling community love, support and strength."

So sorry to hear the news of Adrian @LionheartUK McCallum’s passing. He was a big wrestling star in the UK. Loved and respected. Never had the opportunity to shake this man’s hand but sending his family, friends & UK wrestling community love, support & strength. pic.twitter.com/TbmVizhnr0 — Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) 21 June 2019

It comes after Adrian's girlfriend, Rebecca, launched an online appeal to catch the star's attention.

She wrote: "Hey man. His dream was literally you.

"Can we get a message for him to keep that smile on his face."

The Rock appears to have been one of Adrian's idols, with the star posting the same picture used in Johnson's latest tweet earlier this year.

The picture showed Adrian squatting beside Johnson's star on the Hollywood walk of fame with the caption: "Closest I'll get to the man himself but it'll do for now."

Closest I’ll get to the man himself but it’ll do for now 😎 @TheRock pic.twitter.com/pIKzfnlxaG — Lionheart (@LionheartUK) 25 March 2019

And The Rock replied: "Good to meet you (sort of) brother."

A funeral crowdfunding page set up by ICW has raised over double its target amount in just 24 hours.

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The campaign is fast approaching £14,000, with all donations being sent to Adrian's family to help with funeral costs.