Claudia Winkleman is reportedly being lined up to front the ITV reboot of Hell’s Kitchen, in a move that could see the presenter return to the channel for the first time in 17 years.
The 54-year-old is said to be the favourite among producers to host the revived cooking competition, although no deal has been confirmed by ITV or Winkleman.
According to reports, producers approached Winkleman earlier this summer and she is understood to be interested in exploring the opportunity.
Claudia Winkleman. Photo credit: Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
A source told The Sun: “It’s early days but Claudia is top of the producers’ hit list to present the show. They put out the feelers earlier this summer and she is keen to explore what it will look like.”
They added: “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.”
Winkleman already has a connection to Hell’s Kitchen, having hosted the fourth and final UK series in 2009 after taking over from Angus Deayton.
Claudia Winkleman. Photo credit: Fred Duval, Shutterstock
The original UK version ran for four series between 2004 and 2009, with celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White appearing across its run.
Ramsay recently confirmed that plans are underway to bring the show back to the UK. Speaking in June, he said he was in talks with ITV about a return and claimed there had been strong demand from viewers to see the programme back on British television.
Gordon Ramsay. Photo credit: Motorsport Photography F1, Shutterstock
“I think we’re gonna come back to the UK with Hell’s Kitchen live next year,” Ramsay said.
If the deal goes ahead, the new role would mark a significant move for Winkleman, who has spent much of the past 17 years working with the BBC.
She recently stepped down from Strictly Come Dancing after more than a decade as a host and remains closely associated with The Traitors, which has become one of the BBC's biggest entertainment shows.
Her BBC talk show, The Claudia Winkleman Show, launched earlier this year but was not renewed after she admitted she had been “too nervous to enjoy” the experience.
Winkleman also continues to host Channel 4's The Piano, meaning a move to Hell’s Kitchen would add another major programme to an already busy television schedule.
