Ten celebrities face the daunting challenge of producing a weekly glossy magazine under the editorship of Fleet Street legend Janet Street Porter and the big question is: can they hack it?

The former editor of the Independent on Sunday will be keeping a watchful eye on the celebrities and have overall control over the magazine.

“I thought it was a really original idea. I’m asked to do lots of these sorts of shows. I’ve trained to be a midwife and a teacher and driven a taxi on reality TV shows before. But this is one I’m really qualified for because I’ve edited a national newspaper and a magazine. I really liked the idea of working in an area I know a lot about.

“I really know what is required with this sort of magazine because I’ve been on both sides of the divide. I’ve been an editor, but I’ve also been ambushed by the paparazzi and had snotty things written about me in the press. What particularly appealed about this was that it was a really challenging project.

“It’s different from a lot of reality TV shows because it will produce something tangible. Viewers will lap up the programme because it will show the trials and tribulations that these amateurs go through, but they will also be able to enjoy the finished product in Closer, as well as the website, into which they will be able to feed their own stuff. So Deadline will work on three different levels: as TV entertainment, as a magazine, and as a website. It’s a triple whammy!

“My biggest fear is that none of the celebs will be able to write snappy, entertaining copy. They won’t be allowed to write in semi-literate ‘text-speak’. It’s one thing writing a shopping list, but quite another writing a feature. The stories won’t be that long, but for some people coming up with 800 words will be like climbing a mountain or writing War and Peace!

“The most difficult thing for me will be if the producers choose celebrities that I know very well and I have to sack them. I’m not very good at sacking people. When I was an executive at the BBC, I got other people to do the sacking for me! It will be hard, but I think I’ll be able to do it. Let’s be honest, if these celebs haven’t done their job, then I’ll be so hacked off with them, it will be easy to dismiss them!”