Idris Elba Hopes To Fight Violent Knife Crime With New BBC Series All About Boxing

If there's anything sure to make us break out in a hot sweat, it's the thought of Idris Elba in a boxing ring.

And it looks like all our Christmases may be coming at once, as we've just heard word that the 47-year-old actor will be helping to give young adults a chance to walk away from street violence by teaching them how to box on new BBC series Idris Elba's Fight School.

The new reality show will see the Luther star, who grew up on a council estate in Hackney, East London, try and turn seven kids away from violent knife and street crime in a bid to turn their lives around.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I see history constantly repeating itself and can emphasise with these kids. I believe there is a better way to teach people that you don't need knives to protect yourself.

"It's a proven fact that in urban areas where fight schools open, violent crime drops dramatically which is why I wanted to do this project, in hope that we can change people's lives.

"I want this project to be an ongoing presence that will come to provide support and education for the community for years to come."

While Idris underwent gruelling training sessions back in 2017 in places such as Japan and Thailand to become a professional kick-boxer for documentary Idris Elba: Fighter, it will be former world class champions who will teach the seven youngsters various boxing techniques, discipline, focus and determination during the four part series, which was filmed over six months and will air on BBC2.

BBC commissioning editor Michael Jochnowitz said: "Idris Elba's passion and enthusiasm for this project meant we simply had to join him on this very personal quest to help transform futures and give young people hope."

Executive producer Rick Murray said: "We hope we can really show that when people are given the right tools and attention, they avoid making decisions that have catastrophic consequences."

There's no official release date yet, but we're told the show will air sometime in 2021. That's another one to add to the list!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: idris elba, Celebrity News, TV News, TV Entertainment

Naomi Chadderton (FL)

Naomi is a freelance journalist working for Tyla. After graduating from The University of Nottingham, Naomi moved out to Dubai where she worked for Grazia Middle East and Harper's Bazaar Arabia. She is now back home and enjoying the London life.