Rob McElhenney’s swollen face is wild (Picture: Getty)

Rob McElhenney has been reflecting on 2023 – and the absolutely wild allergic reaction that left him totally unrecognisable.

Well, kind of.

The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, 46, shocked fans as he revisited some moments from his year on New Year’s Eve.

One photo in particular had us all doing a double take, with Rob’s face so swollen he looked almost terrifying.

Taking so social media, the Wrexham AFC co-owner wrote: ‘Aside from that slight allergic reaction to the nuts, 2023 was one of the best years of my life.’

He accompanied the caption with a selfie showing the right side of his face absolutely bulging, with his lips plumped and eye fully closed.

Luckily, the swelling was the work of prosthetics! (Picture: Instagram)

Rob’s head even changed shape, to the point where commenters asked whether it was down to special effects make-up.

He added in his caption: ‘Thank you to the people and places that made it possible. My life is full of love and joy because of you. ❤️’

‘So excited for 2024. I’ll stay away from the nuts,’ Rob signed off.

Reacting to the post, actress Mindy Kaling commented: ‘Rob this made me almost drop my phone. My son screamed’.

Honestly, we can see why!

‘Is that real?! Please tell me that’s prosthetics! 😱’, asked user TheDaniel46_.

‘Can somebody confirm that the first picture is real and not from some scene he was doing. That is insane’, wrote Keegan Mueller.

Rob, of course, shouted out pal and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds in his 2023 post (Picture: Instagram)

Just a casual selfie with Prince Harry! (Picture: Instagram)

Rob posed with his gorgeous wife, Kaitlin Olson (Picture: Instagram)

Despite the terror flooding his comments section, we can confirm that Rob is totally fine… because not all is as it seems.

Indeed, the ‘allergic reaction’ was the work of prosthetics, used in the latest season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

The behind-the-scenes snap he shared was taken during filming for season 16 when Mac (Rob’s character) suffered a harsh peanut allergy that majorly disfigured his face.

At the beginning of the episode, his lips became round and swollen, only getting worse by the end.

We’re now campaigning for the make-up team on the show to get a raise because clearly, they specialise in realism!

Elsewhere in his end-of-year post, Rob shouted out some of his favourite people and so casually dropped selfies with major stars.

What a year it’s been for Wrexham AFC, with the King and Queen paying a visit to the grounds this year (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Rob and Ryan have taken the club to new heights since their takeover (Picture: PA)

While his gorgeous wife, Kaitlin Olson, made an appearance, so did the one and only Prince Harry, as he and Rob larked around at a football game.

Of course, Ryan Reynolds made an appearance too, as the duo have enjoyed a stellar year thanks to Wrexham’s success.

Season 2 of their docu-series Welcome To Wrexham dropped on Disney Plus, with season 1 previously nominated for six Emmys after lifting the lid on what exactly goes on behind closed doors of the world’s third-oldest professional football club.

In the New Year, a third season will be on the way, which fans can get excited about.

Rob and Deadpool star Ryan also got to brush shoulders with royalty, as King Charles and Queen Camilla paid them a visit at the historic Racecourse Ground.

Welcome To Wrexham returns for a third season in 2024 (Picture: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Heading into 2024, the club is in a better position than ever thanks to the stars and players,

Rob and Ryan oversaw a historic milestone for the club, ending a 15-year absence from the English Football League by claiming the National League title in April.

They also helped with celebrations when Wrexham was designated a city in September 2022 after winning a competition as part of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

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Fans were left screaming and, honestly, we can see why.