Shaquille O'Neal in obesity show

O'Neal helped Miami Heat to their first ever NBA title in 2006

American basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal is to star in a US TV show about tackling obesity in children.

The imposing Miami Heat player will act as a coach to overweight children in the six-part series for ABC.

Based on the UK programme Ian Wright's Unfit Kids - aired on Channel 4 - it will see O'Neal lobbying politicians on school dinners and physical education.

Father-of-six O'Neal has been outspoken on childhood obesity, starring in DVDs encouraging dancing and exercise.

The 14-time NBA All-Star missed 35 games last season after tearing cartilage in his left knee.

Outside his sports career, he has released several albums and appeared in films including Blue Chips and Scary Movie 4.