Louis Walsh talks about taking part on Drive

Drive is a brand new entertainment series for ITV which features the thrills and spills of motor racing and pitches eight well known celebrities against each other in an adrenaline charged race with a difference. Louis Walsh talks about taking part on the series. Drive starts on Tuesday 5th April at 9pm on ITV.

What sort of driver are you usually?

I'm not a good driver and I hate speed, so what the hell am I doing on this show?! I don't know. I never drive in London because I'd be too scared, and I don't drive in America. I've got a Maserati and a Jeep in Ireland but I've only got a few thousand miles on the clock on each of them. I'm a safe driver.

Why did you want to take part, then?

This is my first TV job since The X Factor. I just thought it'd be something a bit different. I thought, 'I'm not doing The X Factor, so I'm going to do this'. It's so out of my comfort zone.

How did you find the training?

It was great fun. I'd recommend it to anyone. I got a great guy called Christian as a mentor, who was trying to give me confidence but I was so scared. Banger driving, I think, is the worst thing I've done in my whole life. I was covered in mud, people are going to laugh. But i t was terrifying. Some of these guys have no fear. Ella has no fear, Laura's the same. They just go boom, boom, boom.

What do you think of the rest of the celebrities?

I love the mix of people. I'd met Professor Green and Ella Eyre briefly before, but I' ve got to know them much better out here. But people like Mariella and Angus, you wouldn't get them on these sorts of shows usually. Everyone's on it not to get famous but for a bit of fun, and because they genuinely love driving.

Is the competition hotting up?

They're all pretending they're not competitive, but they are. Mariella, Laura and Ella are definitely competitive. Johnny Vegas surprised me, I didn't think he'd be as good as he is. I thought he'd be the funny one. But I think I'm probably the funny one!

What was your worst moment?

I had a real meltdown when I was driving a banger car. I honestly thought I was going to have a breakdown. I was uncomfortable, I was slipping and sliding, and I was totally out of control. I couldn't handle it mentally. I couldn't put my foot down on the accelerator to get around the corner, because it goes against everything you do in normal driving. I had a massive panic attack, probably the biggest one I've ever had. I couldn't do it.

What was the funniest moment for you?

I think it was probably to do with me. I kept them all laughing. I was slow and frightened. I think I may be the odd one out.

Do you want to win?

I won't win. There's no chance. I am just doing it to take part in something brand new and d ifferent, that's all. I'm not competitive and I know my limitations.