Fighting With My Family director and Bristol comedian Stephen Merchant confessed he was not very interested in making a wrestling film until Dwayne Johnson asked him to.

The film follows the story of Norwich wrestler Saraya-Jade Bevis who fights in the US under the name Paige.

It was based on a documentary which caught Johnson's eye while he was filming in the UK.

Merchant, who will be appearing on The Last Leg tonight (March 1), was then approached by the wrestler-turned-actor about the project.

Stephen Merchant at the UK Premiere of "Fighting With My Family" at BFI Southbank on February 25

"He saw the documentary on Channel 4. He never misses Channel 4 - he always watches the Hollyoaks omnibus," the Extras star said at the premiere in London.

He added: "He really connected with the story, sent me the documentary because I knew The Rock and he wanted someone British to write the script.

"I didn't know anything about wrestling and I wasn't that interested.

"But I watched it because when The Rock asks you to do something you do it, and I was so won over by this family."

'It was so much fun'

Paige is played by Florence Pugh, who said she had a blast shooting the wrestling scenes.

"It was so much fun. You just get to jump in a ring and play-fight and thump someone and then they react to your thump," she said.

"It was honestly like being an adult kid and then taking the bumps as painful but equally so satisfying when you get it right.

Florence Pugh attends the UK Premiere of "Fighting With My Family" on February 25

"It's like complete athleticism and gymnastics all in one.

"And it's tough, the lifestyle is really tough, so you have to respect that and you have to make sure that you are doing that world justice."

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