Shropshire Star

Telford's Ace is a real card on The Secret Life of Four Year Olds

He's only four, but is already starring in his own TV show.  Ace Lumantas from Telford is one of a select few to feature in a Channel 4 documentary exploring the lives of four year-olds.

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The Secret Life of Four Year Olds is a psychological study – but has gained a big following simply because it is so entertaining.

It throws a group of young children together and watches and listens to them in play. The result is hilarious, but also reveals some of the mixed emotions that run high in a four year old.

Ace seen on the programme

Ace was a star of the first episode, but is present throughout the series. He was chosen after his parents, Yasmin and Al Lumantas, sent in a video showing him answering questions about himself and counting up to 100.

It led to him being shortlisted for the part and an invitation to an audition in London, where the show was filmed in a nursery.

Viewers saw him playing with an alphabet letters mat, putting it in order and singing. But another boy, Theo, comes along and tries to mess up the mat, ending in a scuffle and Ace telling the teacher: "He snatched from me!"

Mrs Lumantas, who came to the UK from the Philippines with her husband 11 years ago, said: "They approved a list of children and he was one of them.

"We were very proud of him. They thought he would be a really good part of the show. He is quite a character."

The filming for the show took place over the course of five days.

The stars of the show - front Row, from left, Taylor, Nathaniel, Lola, Theo.Middle row; Joe, Tyler, Jadzia, Tia, Jack, Ace and Elliot. Back Row; Lara, Ava May, Ivar, Charlotte and Zoey.

Mrs Lumantas, aged 40, said: "I thought we knew our child very well but we discovered a few things about him, mainly that Ace is an independent player, but he's equally happy playing with others.

"He gets on with other children very well. He's a very well rounded boy."

Ace Lumantas

The show also involved the children being separated into two groups to race while balancing bean bags on their heads.

The boys' group cheated by using their hands to win, while the girls play by the rules and lose.

The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds airs on Channel 4 onThursdays at 8pm.

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