Claudia Winkleman, a prominent figure at the BBC known for her roles on "Strictly Come Dancing" and "The Traitors," is reportedly in discussions to host a revival of the ITV cooking competition "Hell's Kitchen." This potential move would mark Winkleman's first major role with ITV in 17 years.
Sources indicate that ITV is keen to secure Winkleman, 54, for the rebooted series, with producers having engaged in talks with her since earlier this summer. Insiders suggest that producers are highly prioritizing Winkleman for the hosting position and are willing to adjust production schedules to accommodate her availability. "Claudia is top of the producers' hit list to present," a source told The Sun.
Winkleman previously hosted the fourth series of "Hell's Kitchen" in 2009, which was her last appearance on the network. The show, created by Gordon Ramsay, originally ran in the UK from 2004 to 2009. Ramsay served as head chef for the initial series before launching the brand in the United States, with other chefs like Gary Rhodes, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Marco Pierre White taking over the role in subsequent seasons.
The "Hell's Kitchen" franchise has achieved global success, broadcasting in approximately 100 countries. The US version, in particular, has been a significant hit, airing 24 seasons with Ramsay as host. Ramsay himself hinted at plans to bring the show back to the UK in June. If he were involved in the reboot, it would be the first time he and Winkleman would appear on the show together.
Winkleman's potential new role would require her to balance "Hell's Kitchen" with her existing television commitments, including "The Traitors" and its celebrity spin-off, as well as her Channel 4 show "The Piano."
In July, Winkleman announced she would be stepping away from her BBC chat show after just one series. Despite achieving solid ratings, she declined the BBC's offer for a second season, explaining that she was "too nervous to enjoy it." She expressed gratitude to the BBC for the opportunity and stated her love for her current projects, calling them "the best jobs in the world."