Caitlyn Jenner’s documentary series charting her transition from reality star and Olympic hero to transgender advocate has been hailed as “educational and inspiring”.

The eight-part television series I Am Cait follows Caitlyn, formerly known as Bruce, as she begins her life as a woman.

In the first episode, which aired in the United States on Sunday, Caitlyn first revealed herself to her daughter Kylie using FaceTime video chat on her phone.

After expressing concern to her teenage daughter that she was scared of her appearance, Kylie replied: “You’re not scaring me, you look pretty.”

The show also received support from fellow reality star Lisa Vanderpump, who features in The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills and spin-off show Vanderpump Rules.

The episode began with a clip of Caitlyn filming herself in the early hours of the morning as she worried about her responsibility as a role model.

She said: “I feel bad that these young people are going through such a difficult time in their life, we don’t want people dying over this, we don’t want people murdered over this stuff.

Caitlyn Jenner accepts the Arthur Ashe award for courage at the ESPY Awards
Caitlyn Jenner spoke about how hard her transition had been for her (Chris Pizzello/AP)

“What a responsibility I have towards this community. Am I going to do everything right? Am I going to say the right things? Do I project the right image? My mind is just spinning with thoughts. I just hope I get it right.”

The episode also showed Caitlyn revealing herself to her mother Esther and giving a tour of her extensive designer wardrobe to her stepdaughter Kim Kardashian West.

During the show Caitlyn, 65, admitted she had contemplated suicide before coming out as a woman, saying: “I’ve had some very dark moments in my life, I’ve been in my house with a gun and said ‘Let’s just end it right here, no more pain, no more suffering’. That struggle is real and I’ve been there.”

She later travelled to San Diego to meet the family of a trans teenager who had committed suicide.

Kanye West
Kanye West told Caitlyn how much he admired her (Owen Hoffmann/AP)

Rapper Kanye West, who is married to Kim, told Caitlyn how important he thinks her transition is, saying: “I think it’s one of the strongest things that has happened in our existence as human beings that are so controlled by perception.

“You couldn’t have been up against more, your daughter is a supermodel, you’re a celebrity and it was still, like, this is who I am.”

I Am Cait will air on Sunday August 2 on E! in the UK.