The actor, 51, had to practise long and hard for the role of Sugar Goodson, the self-declared emperor of the east end boxing world.

As well as punching, Stephen says he had to do some biting for the series A Thousand Blows. He said: "It was a really enjoyable experience to get into shape - the best shape I've been in and working to create the physical aspects of this bare knuckle street fighter. Sugar is known to bite sometimes, which for me is great to play as it is so visceral.

"He also uses a flurry of punches and body shots. Because I'm small, you use what you've got. I don't have a long reach so it's about going for the body and taking them down that way, and protecting my head.

"It wasn't all about having a six-pack, it was about trying to create a street brawler. I put some weight on and then worked on the cutting process."

Stephen used a boxing expert to help work out a style for his role, saying. "For Sugar, you're not going to want to dance around a ring for 20 minutes each fight. Your basic aim is to get in, smash them and then get out.

"If Sugar is having multiple fights a night, he wants to get them over as quick as possible."

The series, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is set in the 1880s and inspired by the true-life stories of characters who battled for survival in London's east end.