Bravo to air 'Karate Kid'-style series

The Living TV Group's Bravo channel is to broadcast a Karate Kid-style television series in which a Shaolin monk mentors troubled British youngsters.

The factual entertainment programme, which is currently under the working title Kung Fu Street Fighters, aims to take a "risky and controversial approach to combating the UK's rising hoodie culture and anti-social behaviour", reports The Guardian.

In the six-episode series, British Shaolin monk and martial arts expert Matthew Ahmet will mentor a group of troubled young people from inner-city estates in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

Ahmet will use martial arts principles in a bid to teach the youngsters "self-control, respect and restraint", while also presenting an "alternative life far removed from violence, crime, drugs and underachievement".

The show, which has echoes of 1984 film The Karate Kid and its 2010 remake starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, is expected to premiere on Bravo in the first quarter of next year.

"This commission demonstrates our ongoing commitment to risky, ambitious and eye catching factual content tackling crime and social issues in a uniquely Bravo way," said the Living TV Group head of commissioning Mark Sammon.

Kung Fu Street Fighters is being produced by The F Word maker Optomen Television, which is currently the subject of a takeover bid from All3Media.