FUMAN DAR. FEBRUARY 5TH - 11TH. THE SUN, THE TV MAG.

IT'S THE KARATE KID!

LONDON'S BURNING NEW BOY FUMAN DAR TELLS ROB MCGIBBON HOW HE GETS HIS KICKS WHEN HE'S NOT FIGHTING FIRES.

Cheeky firefighter Ronnie " Hi-Ho" Silver is Blackwall's answer to Bruce Lee - on and off the screen. For Fuman Dar, the actor who plays him in London's Burning, is a kung fu master, having trained for martial arts for 16 years.

Fuman, 21, started learning karate when he was five and narrowly missed becoming the Junior British Champion in kung fu when he was 15. He now works out three times a week and surpassed black belt status to qualify as an instructor.

This week in London's Burning he gets called out to rescue work - men trapped in a trench on a building site. And he gets to show off his kung fu skills in later episodes when a member of Blue Watch is mugged. But Fuman is reluctant to use his high - flying kicks for real.

He says: " People get the wrong idea about martial arts. I do it for my health and to keep fit, but the physical side is just one small element. It is as much about self - discipline and meditation.

" I have learned to deal with situations in everyday life thanks to kung fu. It teaches you to be at peace with yourself.

" I've only ever had to use it once in a proper fight. I was out in the West End with a friend when some guys started having a go at us.

" I made it clear we didn't want any trouble but that made no difference and one of them came at me. I did a lock and held him down in a lock. He got the message, so that was the end of it and I let him walk off.

" Knowing you can defend yourself gives you confidence but I would be the first to walk away or try to cool down a situation.

" I don't like seeing people get hurt. I'm no angel and can get angry like everyone else, but I can control myself. When I get home at night, I want to feel in my heart that I did the right thing today".

Fuman, who lives in South London, is certainly doing the right things when it comes to acting. In his short career since passing his A - Levels, he has performed for the National Youth Theatre and had small roles in The Bill and Only Fools And Horses.

He was making ends meet doing night shifts at a supermarket and general hotel before his big break with London's Burning. Now Hi-Ho looks set to become a permanent fixture at Blackwall.

Fuman says: " At first I didn't know how big my role would be, but it has grown.

" All the guys have been supportive and really welcomed me into the show - so there's been no need for any kung fu!"

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