Gordon Ramsay is known for his volatile temper

Ramsay was too busy with his three restaurants to devote time to the project, but would be taking the format to the US, The Independent said.

Ramsay's spokeswoman said the report was "speculative", while ITV1 said it was too early to confirm any details.

At its peak the show, featuring a team of 10 celebrity cooks, drew 8m viewers.

The Independent reported the famously forthright chef would be signing up for another series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on Channel 4.

In the show he goes into ailing restaurants and advises them on how to turn their business around.

US version

"We have been talking to him about Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares but nothing has been finalised yet," a Channel 4 spokeswoman told The Independent.

Ex-soap star Jennifer Ellison won the first series

The format for Hell's Kitchen was developed before Ramsay came on board. It is thought a second series could feature a chef other than Ramsay.

Granada, which produced Hell's Kitchen for ITV1, said it was in advanced talks with the Fox network to make a US version, featuring ordinary people instead of celebrities.

Winner of the UK show was Jennifer Ellison, 21, a former Brookside actress.

She was among 10 contestants who had spent two weeks being taught kitchen skills by Ramsay.

Other contestants included former Bros singer Matt Goss, actor James Dreyfus and former government minister Edwina Currie.