A champion fighter turned Hollywood action man has launched a martial arts school in Hayes.

Silvio Simac, a former world, European and 14-times UK champion in tae kwon do, welcomed dozens of youngsters hoping to follow in his footsteps to Harlington School, in Pinkwell Lane, Hayes.

The school is the venue for the first Simac Mixed Martial Arts School.

The Croatian-born fighter, who lives near Uxbridge town centre, got his big break in film with Unleashed – also known as Danny The Dog – in which he fights Chinese martial arts actor Jet Li and stars alongside Morgan Freeman.

In 2008, he was cast in Transporter 3, with Jason Statham the lead character in the successful movie franchise. He has also appeared in several independent eastern and European films.

The school has been launched in partnership with Matt Fiddes, a famous trainer who was the bodyguard of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, and Naeem Qureshi, who runs Olympian Fitness in Pump Lane, Hayes.

The 40-year-old, who is also a back belt in kickboxing and karate, told the Gazette: “I had followed Matt's career for years, and we just got talking. Naeem and I have been friends for a long time, but this is the first time we have done business together.

“I was a student at Thames Valley University in Ealing [now the University of West London], and I taught a class there in 1992. I took a break from teaching to get into entertainment and film, but now is the right time to do it again. It is crucially important to me that this is a success.”

The school offers lessons for children aged three to six – the Super Simacs – juniors aged seven to 11, and over 12s, and will be designed to promote respect and discipline, confidence, and fun.

Classes will be held at Harlington School on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with more to come.

If you would like to book a trial lesson, call 0800 6124 909, email info@simacmma.com, or drop into Olympian Fitness in Pump Lane, Hayes. Alternatively, visit www.simacmma.com.