Jean-Claude Van Damme to star in ITV reality show

Jean-Claude Van Damme to star in ITV reality show
Jean-Claude Van Damme to star in ITV reality show (Image credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima)

Jean-Claude Van Damme and his family are to star in their own reality TV show. The Muscles from Brussels - star of action movies including Street Fighter and Time Cop - has signed up for a fly-on-the-wall ITV documentary, which will see the kick-boxer at home and as he prepares for his big comeback fight in October. Belgian action hero Jean-Claude, 49, is currently in discussions about which other members of his family will join him in the show, The Sun reports. A source said: "Jean-Claude is an absolute legend and he's great value. "He's had quite a life and he's become a real character. You never quite know what he's going to do or say next. "The plan is for cameras to follow him at home and in the run-up to his comeback fight. So as well as his home life, we'll get to see his gruelling training regime, which with him being nearly 50 should be interesting." Jean-Claude has been married five times, has battled cocaine addiction and went into rehab in 1996. The actor and martial arts expert's fighting record from his career between 1976 to 1980 included 18 wins, the majority of which were knockouts, and one loss on points.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.