Beeb to launch new documentary

Dwarves looking for love, playground bullying and alcoholism are among subjects to be tackled when BBC1 launches its first major new documentary strand for 15 years, it emerged today.

The series, One Life, begins later this month. It aims to look at human-interest stories that reflect modern Britain.

Station boss Lorraine Heggessey said she had been determined to introduce a regular strand for documentaries as part of her strategy for the channel.

The series launches with a programme about an alcoholic called Diane, who is seen undergoing detox, egged on by her 12-year-old daughter Nanzer. The youngster does some of the filming herself, to help illustrate her side of the story, after being trained by programme makers.

By the time the film is shown, her mother will have been off the drink for five months.

Another programme looks at the life of Caroline Miller, a dwarf living in the Channel Islands who has never met anyone like herself. The Film follows her meeting 200 others when she travels to mainland Britain, hoping to find love.

Other 40-minute programmes tackle the story of a young girl who has a kidney transplant and a school experiment in which children try to tackle bullying.

Ms Heggessey said she was keen to establish a regular slot because many documentary makers were simply bypassing BBC1 and taking their films and ideas to BBC2.

She said: "I think we've moved too far away from strands - that's why we've introduced both (arts series) Imagine and One Life this year."

BBC director of factual programmes John Willis said the choice of issues tackled proved that BBC1 was serious about documentaries.

He said: "I think these are rather tough subjects. If we just wanted a big audience, you wouldn't say alcoholics were a popular subject.

"We're not talking about crime, sex or celebrities here - the holy trinity of documentary making. I think there should be a bit of credit for choosing a tough subject."

Fourteen One Life films will be shown this year and a further 14 are on order.
"The aim is for it to be part of the fabric of BBC1," said Mr Willis.

The last major documentary strand to launch on the station was Inside Story in 1988. That series ended in 2000.