Idris Elba’s new documentary about training to be a pro kickboxer looks like a must-watch

“I’m doing it not for the gold or the glory. Far from it. It’s just for the challenge.”

If you were to handpick a famous television and movie star to feature in a documentary about kickboxing, then Idris Elba would be close to the top of most lists. As well as being something of a physical beast, he knows how to play the role of a badass down to a tee, most notably as DCI John Luther in 'Luther' and, of course, Stringer Bell in 'The Wire'. It’s one thing being a tough guy in a work of fiction and a whole other thing doing it in real life, but Elba is doing just that in a new documentary called 'Idris Elba: Fighter', which begins on Discovery on Tuesday (January 17). The documentary sees Elba training to become a professional kickboxer, in the space of just 12 months, even going as far as to compete in his first professional fight at the age of 44 late last year. It will hardly come as a huge surprise to learn that he won the fight. Judging by the trailer, it looks like a must-watch for fans of Elba and combat sports in general; it goes out on Discovery at 10pm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRGtohnxOCk Clip via Discovery UK Catch up with this week's episode of Football Friday Live: