Tom Holland is real-life Spider-Man as he fiercely protects girlfriend Zendaya on night out

Tom Holland has been praised all over social media after protecting Zendaya from a crowd of photographers in New York City on Thursday.

The Spider-Man actor, 28, and Euphoria star, also 28, were attending the launch of a new venture for Tom, with Zendaya stunning in a burgundy leather dress.

Meanwhile, Tom opted for a tight burgundy shirt with black trousers, as he once again sported the short haircut that’s been dominating the headlines for months.

As they arrived at the launch event, the couple stepped out of the car and straight into a group of photographers – Zendaya was also handed objects to autograph.

After realising his partner had been stopped in the melee, Tom immediately turned back and formed a pathway through the crowd with his arms.

He then clutched hold off Zendaya’s hand and led her into the building, with one woman in the crowd remarking that Zendaya might have ended up going into the building with her marker pen.

As the couple then left the same building later that night, Tom was already prepared and asked the photographers if they could give him and Zendaya ‘a little bit of space’.

He was also happy to sign a couple of autographs for fans who had waited outside before the superstar couple headed back to their private vehicle.

Tom’s demeanour and behaviour received widespread praise on social media, who celebrated the fact that he was able to protect Zendaya without being aggressive towards the photographers.

IAmDafneJalisa said on X: ‘Tom is the kind of man you feel safe to turn off your brain – you feel so safe and comfortable you don’t even need to think. The man has it all taken care of.’

Elsewhere, DZifa commented: ‘No one could make me hate Tom and Zendaya. They are so good together! And he really doesn’t play about her.’

Tom was also celebrated by Hindsite20, who watched the video and said: ‘He said y’all crowding my girl. Absolutely NOT today. MOVE!!!!!!’

‘Spider-Man saving his girl again. You go Spidey – celebrities have personal space too,’ SarOmShiv said, referencing Tom’s Marvel history.

Tom and Zendaya first acknowledged their relationship three years ago, which came four years after they first starred opposite each other in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The new video of the pair comes days after Tom reportedly secured a leading role in the next Christopher Nolan film – the director’s follow-up to Oppenheimer.

He had faced criticism from fans online after he confirmed he would be returning for a fourth Spider-Man movie – news that came despite fan hopes he might be moving on from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But now it seems he’s down to perform opposite Matt Damon in the upcoming project, which has no fixed release date as of yet.

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