Claudia Winkleman for Hell's Kitchen / © ITV
Claudia Winkleman is reportedly in talks about hosting a proposed revival of Hell’s Kitchen at ITV.
The format, which launched in the UK in 2004, originally saw Gordon Ramsay take charge of a working restaurant with a troupe of amateur chefs – either civilians or celebrities.
Ramsay left the show after just one series to launch it in the US, where it made him a household name and has run for 24 seasons to date – with an additional two series already confirmed.
Chefs including Marco Pierre White, the late Gary Rhodes and Jean-Christophe Novelli took over from Ramsay on the UK original, which went for four series before being axed in 2009.
Ramsay is now looking to bring back the show after 18 years and, according to The Sun, Winkleman is in the frame to reprise her role as presenter, having previously hosted the final series in 2009.
Winkleman, 54, has additional room in her schedule following her departure from Strictly Come Dancing and her own decision to not continue with her Friday night talkshow, with ITV supposedly happy to schedule Hell’s Kitchen around her commitments to The Traitors and Channel 4’s The Piano.
“It’s early days but Claudia is top of the producers’ hit list to present the show,” a source said. “They put out the feelers earlier this summer and she is keen to explore what it will look like.
“Claudia is one of the biggest stars in the UK now, so securing her won’t be as easy as in 2009. But everyone feels she is the right person for the job.
“The schedule isn’t set yet so bosses are willing to move things about to fit in with her diary.”
Speaking about the show’s potential comeback, Ramsay is previously quoted as saying: “I think we’re gonna come back to the UK with Hell’s Kitchen live next year. And it’s about time, because everywhere I go across the UK it’s ‘Please bring it back’.
“So we’re talking now with ITV to bring it back. And fingers crossed, we’ll have something exciting to keep you updated on.”
ITV has yet to comment on the reports.
