This new series challenges six celebrities to learn how to write a block-busting crime novel with the expert tuition of best-selling author Minette Walters. Brendan Cole, Sherrie Hewson, Kelvin MacKenzie, Matt Allwright, Angela Griffin and Diarmuid Gavin experience life on the frontline of murder detection. They train with the police, pathologists and firearms experts and meet real criminals and victims.

Series mentor, judge and “executioner” Minette Walters asks the celebrities to follow a series of rules and complete punishing tasks, and then use what they’ve learnt to complete daily writing assignments.

At the end of each show Minette “bumps off” the least impressive author until only two celebrities remain on the final day. One celebrity is selected by a judging panel of literary experts and given the opportunity to write their own crime-fiction novel. The novel will be published as part of the Quick Reads series by PanMacmillan on World Book Day 2009. Quick Reads are a range of books published by different publishers to celebrate World Book Day.

Murder Most Famous is screened every day this week at 1.30pm, except Wednesday, when it begins at 2pm.