Iron Man actor Paul Bettany has revealed his ingenious method of ensuring he doesn’t get recognised on flights – wrapping scarves around his head so he looks like the Elephant Man.

Paul plays Jarvis – or Vision – in the Marvel universe, starring in the Iron Man movies and Avengers: Age Of Ultron. The downside of fame, of course, is being papped on planes when you’re snoring with your mouth open.

Paul Bettany Paul Bettany (Matt Sayles/Invision)

In an interview with Conde Nast Traveller, he explained: “I hate paying to travel first class; it makes me feel stupid.

“So to avoid finding myself falling asleep in economy and waking up to someone trying to take a photo of me dribbling, I wrap a scarf around my head – like a sort of Elephant Man disguise.”

The Elephant Man, whose name was Joseph Merrick, was a famous 19th century Englishman with severe physical deformities, causing huge growths on his head.

Joseph MerrickJoseph Merrick (PA)

Paul, 44, also revealed his plans to train his three children to compliment him every time he enters a room.

On his wife of 13 years, the actress Jennifer Connelly, he said: “My wife’s been working with Louis Vuitton, and before that Balenciaga, so I spend a lot of time around fashion types… there’s something they say all the time that I really like: ‘super-chic’.”

Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly (Nicholas Hunt/AP)

“We were going to the Met Ball one time, so I had a very nice tux made and when I came out of the changing room there was a chorus of people gasping and saying ‘super-chic’.

“I wish that happened every time I walked into a room. Do you know what? I have three children – I am going to train them to do just that.”

Conde Nast Traveller is on sale from Monday April 4.