Hollywood star Brian Cox and TV boffin namesake tried to check into the same hotel — with hilarious results

SUCCESSION actor Brian Cox and his astrophysicist namesake tried to check into the same hotel — and left staff utterly confused.

The pair were staying on Thursday night before an appearance on BBC Breakfast yesterday morning.

On the show, presenter Charlie Stayt asked the pair if sharing a name could get confusing.

Actor Brian, 76, told him how Professor Brian had tried to check into a Gtr Manchester hotel — but was told “we can’t have two Brian Coxes”.

The astrophysicist said: “They wouldn’t check me in.

"I had to change my name.

“They couldn’t do it on their computer system.

"They didn’t believe me.

“I got a picture up on my phone and said ‘look, this is Brian Cox, he’ll be coming later, and then this one…’ and he said, ‘I know neither of you, I don’t watch television’.”

Earlier this yeat said: "It annoyed me initially - but has been such a great lesson - to find someone who is extraordinarily successful with the same name as me.

"It irked me at first, then I thought, it's not important."