By Rebecca Thomas BBC News Online entertainment staff

Gareth Gates lost his cool behind the wheel

Several well-known faces are going behind the steering wheel for the first time on Celebrity Driving School, as part of the BBC's Comic Relief.

Learning to drive and taking the test regularly feature on lists of life's most stressful experiences.

So, it would be reasonable to assume that anyone choosing to undergo the ordeal on camera must be incredibly brave, deranged - or desperate for attention.

Yet, if the publicity is to be believed, altruism was behind a group of British stars volunteering to go behind the wheel for the four-part TV series Celebrity Driving School.

The programme replicates the hit BBC One reality TV show, where in-car cameras filmed the tears and laughter of a group of learner drivers as they geared up towards their test.

Paul was by far the worst driver Pip Banyard on comic Paul O'Grady

It was also the series that memorably made a minor celebrity of Maureen, arguably one of the worst drivers in the world.

This time, highway novices including Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, comic Paul O'Grady and former Big Brother contestant Jade Goody, have been recruited in aid of the charity Comic Relief.

But, good cause or not, viewers will no doubt tune in to see how badly the stars fare in this most fundamental, but potentially disastrous, of life skills.

Producer Pip Banyard says there will be no shortage of evidence that the famous are vulnerable to weakness when it comes to driving.

"Basically this will be a case of 'Maureen eat your heart out'," says Ms Banyard. "There is no end of really bad driving in the series.

"We've got crashes, bumping into curbs, swerving and sitting in traffic for ages, being sworn at by the public."

Crashing start

In the original Driving School, Maureen became a household name, as viewers could hardly believe her inability to grasp even the concept of driving.

In the celebrity version, Paul O'Grady, otherwise known as comic character Lily Savage, adequately fills Maureen's shoes.

Paul O'Grady proved a match for Maureen

Ms Banyard reveals: "Paul was by far the worst driver. He decided to learn in an automatic, so he didn't understand gears. But, all he had to do was steer - and he couldn't even do that."

Indeed, in the very first programme, O'Grady is seen to crash his car, causing �10,000 worth of damage.

But, as the lessons progress, it becomes clear that each of the stars has their own weaknesses.

Jade Goody lives up to her exuberant, goofy Big Brother persona.

Her impetuous manoeuvres cause visible surprise on the face of the instructor. And, the theory test looks set to defeat any attempt for her to pass.

Meanwhile, Gareth Gates risks spoiling his boy-next-door image by acting the "typical boy racer" and succumbing to road rage.

Live climax

Ms Banyard confirms that, besides the comic value, the most compelling thing about the series is the insight it gives into the characters of the celebrities.

"Famous people are normally so well trained and know to start performing as soon as they are put in front of a camera.

Jade Goody is still waiting to find out her test result

"But here, we were filming for hours over several weeks and so they forgot the camera was in the car.

"It meant we go lots of natural moments and I think people will be surprised by what they see."

Celebrity Driving School begins on 24 February and promises to be roller-coaster of emotions.

The climax will come on 14 March, Comic Relief's fundraising focus, Red Nose Day.

It is only then that the viewers and stars will find out if the pupils have passed or failed.

Celebrity Driving School begins on 24 February on BBC One at 20.30 GMT.