McDreamy emotional in French classic

The former Grey's Anatomy TV star affectionately named 'McDreamy' for his rugged good looks, Patrick Dempsey, fulfilled a life-long achievement on the weekend when he raced his Porsche 911 to second place (in his category) at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hour race in France.

The 49-year-old American actor, who often chats with another Porsche works driver, Australian former F1 driver Mark Webber, was brought to tears when he stood on the podium at Le Mans.

He completed the 24-hour endurance classic, one of the most prestigious and gruelling sports car events in the world, in his hard-core Porsche 911 RSR race car with fellow drivers Marco Seefried and Patrick Long.

"It's hard to put into words what this means," the Dempsey told Eurosport television after welling up on the podium.

"The team did a great job in all the pitstops and Patrick and Marco just drove beautifully through the whole race and into the night when it was really tough"

"To be up there [on the podium] is definitely a dream come true," said the actor.

The Hollywood star's actor career has been sidelined as Dempsey took the decision to concentrate on his motor racing career in recent times, something he's incredibly passionate about.

The American will now contest the rest of the World Endurance Championship, in which Le Mans is the jewel in the crown. He has been contesting the Le Mans 24 Hour race since 2009, finishing fifth in the same class in 2014.

Will the multi-talented actor-cum-racer — who some have likened to the late, great Steve McQueen — go one better in 2016 and claim victory?