Who are the Idris Elba's Fight School contestants and who are the coaches?

World-renowned actor and musician Idris Elba is taking eight young Brits under his wing. All have unique challenges and want to improve their future.

Fight School is Elba’s latest project that is inspired by how young people in South Africa were empowered and transformed by the introduction of a local boxing club. Elba has now implemented his own bespoke Fight School in the UK that will help arm his recruits with discipline, ambition and mental resilience, enabling them to acquire new life skills and change their lives.

Who are the contestants for Elba’s Fight School and who will they be coached by? Here’s everything you need to know.

Chanika found boxing “mentally and physically” stimulating. She joined Fight School to help her heal and move on from a traumatic past.

As the eldest out of all contestants she persistently reminded herself the reason she joined the school, “I was determined to show other young women who have been through what I have been through to keep on going.” she said.

For Finlay this was the chance to have a new focus and change direction. Having just come out of jail this opportunity couldn’t have arrived at a more appropriate time.

Although he had boxed on and off he had never stuck to it, the training was “intense” he shares. “It was a lot to go from sitting on a couch, which I had been doing, to then doing 11 sessions a week”

Jess needed a change after a turbulent childhood. She shares Fight School was one of the “highlights” of her life. “I met people I would never have spoken to in a million years and I did something I never thought I would do. It has made me feel happier in myself, I have lost weight, it has given me confidence to make the changes in my life.” she added.

Although “apprehensive