A NEW television show will go behind the scenes as cameras step into the ring at the Bradford Church of Wrestling.

Gareth ‘Angel’ Thompson set up one of England’s only wrestling churches in the Fountains Church, which is in Bradford’s old Walkabout nightclub building, last year.

After overcoming his own experiences of abuse and homelessness, he wants to help others build positive mental health through his wrestling training school.

The show, which will air on BBC One soon, will follow the group as they share their inspirational stories of recovery and mental health battles.

One of these stories is from Cris, who is training to step in the ring for the very first time as his LGBTQ character ‘Pride’. Will he have the confidence necessary for his wrestling debut to be a success?

After suffering sexual abuse as a child and homelessness as a teenager, it is “wrestling and the church” that got Gareth’s life back on track. 

He says “wrestling was a massive escape” for him and the driving force behind his training school is to use his past to “help others…through those struggles and issues” he faced as a kid. 

“Not everyone that comes is religious and that’s fine, but maybe just maybe, one of those people who walks through the door hears something that could be the start of their journey,” he said. 

Cris has been training at the school for six months and has been developing his character ‘Pride’. 

“I suffered from severe depression from the age of 14 to 22…it was really bad.

“It’s the camaraderie, the teamwork…I’ve made friends here and I don’t make friends easily,” he added.

The show sees Cris and his character ‘Pride’ grow in confidence as he builds for his ring debut. 

He added: “If I can get on stage as a depressed, obese, middle-aged man and still put on a cracking show, you can do what you want to.”

The wrestling school doesn’t just support those who want to get in the ring. 

Emma, aka Blue Glasses Girl, has experienced trauma at various stages of her life and has used the wrestling school as a place to rebuild her confidence. 

She is training as a ring announcer and is in charge of all the backstage social media content. 

“I come out of there feeling spiritually nourished…and it brings out that creative side of me,” Emma said.