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C´óÏó´«Ã½ Controller Damian Kavanagh has commissioned five new films from across the UK, following extraordinary children with unique stories to tell, in the second series of the critically acclaimed single-subject documentary strand My Life for C´óÏó´«Ã½ on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

From three ballet-dancing brothers from Liverpool to children struggling to stay awake with narcolepsy, My Life tackles a different subject each week, providing an in-depth look into the contrasting lives of some exceptional children living in the UK.

Commenting on the commissions, Damian Kavanagh said: "These thought-provoking films show the incredible resilience and determination of the children involved to overcome the obstacles they face in life. Either by managing a physical condition, enduring an enforced separation or realising a burning ambition."

Commissioned from Leeds-based independent production company Real Life, Ballet Boys follows three brothers from a working-class area of Liverpool. These real-life Billy Elliots are trying to make it in the rarefied, high-brow world of classical ballet. Following the eldest boy as he studies at the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School, the film shows the enormous sacrifices all three boys make for their art. The executive producer is Simon Schofield.

Stammer School follows children at the internationally renowned Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children as they go through an intensive course of speech and language therapy. Full of courage, tenacity and humour, the film gives a unique perspective on how stammering affects children's lives. Dene Films, in Newcastle, are producing Stammer School, which is executive produced by Claire Storey Lambert.

Fifteen-year-old Jake has a dream to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button. Currently poised on the brink of becoming the British and world junior champion karter, it looks like Jake's dreams could come true. Boy Racers, an in-house C´óÏó´«Ã½ production, follows the twists and turns of Jake's life as he attempts to make his fast-moving dream a reality – and still get his homework in on time. It is executive produced by Helen Nightingale.

Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that leads to recurrent attacks of drowsiness and sudden onset of sleep – Struggling To Stay Awake reveals the real battles faced by children suffering from this and explores how the kids not only have to deal with falling asleep several times a day without warning, but how Narcolepsy, which has no cure, also affects their chances of having a normal childhood. Struggling To Stay Awake is executive produced by Sarah Murch for Manchester-based independent production company Blakeway North.

Finally, the previously-announced Toy Soldiers completes the series. Toy Soldiers goes on the march with children whose lives have been disrupted by having a parent in the armed forces. Following a diverse group of youngsters, the film shows how children try to maintain normality when their lives are turned upside-down by a war they don’t necessarily understand. Commissioned from Walsh Bros, Toy Soldiers is produced by John Walsh and executive produced by Roger James.

The executive producer for the series for C´óÏó´«Ã½ is Alison Gregory.

VT