ITV to axe Cooking with the Stars after six series

Exclusive: Hells Kitchen reboot to replace Cooking with the Stars in 2027.

ITV is set to axe Cooking with the Stars, with network bosses poised to pull the plug on the celebrity culinary contest after six series.

Insiders indicate that a combination of falling ratings and severe scheduling conflicts for co-host Emma Willis means Cooking with the Stars is no longer considered sustainable. Willis, who has fronted the culinary clash alongside comedian Tom Allen since its 2021 debut, reportedly faces a packed filming calendar that leaves no room for another run.

However, ITV is not stepping away from celebrity kitchen drama altogether. Executives are understood to be laying the groundwork to revive the ultimate fiery reality cooking series, Hell’s Kitchen, with a targeted broadcast window in 2027.

“The decision is set to be made as ratings have gradually cooled off over recent seasons,” a television source revealed. “With Emma’s packed diary, it feels like the right moment to close the kitchen doors and focus on bringing back a powerhouse brand like Hell’s Kitchen.”

A Star-Studded Legacy in the Kitchen

Produced by South Shore, Cooking with the Stars established a unique format by pairing amateur celebrity cooks one-on-one with professional culinary mentors. Over its five series, the show featured a mix of tense cook-offs, unexpected culinary triumphs, and signature kitchen mishaps.

The series welcomed a wide array of professional culinary talent and well-known contestants:

• The Professional Chefs: The show’s mentor roster featured top-tier culinary figures, including Rosemary Shrager, Jack Stein, Michael Caines, Judy Joo, Tony Singh, Poppy O’Toole, Shelina Permalloo, and April Jackson.
• The Celebrity Alumni: Over 40 famous faces stepped up to the stove, including McFly drummer Harry Judd (who won the inaugural series), Carol Vorderman, Denise van Outen, Jack Osbourne, Strictly judge Shirley Ballas, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, Olympian Kelly Holmes, and comedian Hugh Dennis.

The Return of High-Stakes Culinary Drama

While Cooking with the Stars focused on a lighter, mentorship-driven approach, the planned reboot of Hell’s Kitchen in 2027 signals a shift back to high-intensity television.

Originally launched in the UK in 2004 with Gordon Ramsay at the helm, Hell’s Kitchen became a global hit defined by high-pressure service, direct confrontations, and swift eliminations. Network executives are expected to look for a formidable head chef to anchor the 2027 revival and recapture the intense energy of the original series.

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