Viewers warm to Hell's Kitchen

New reality show Hell’s Kitchen proved a ratings winner in Britain last night with more than seven million viewers tuning in.

The live show features Gordon Ramsay’s attempts to turn 10 celebrities into top class chefs.

An average audience of seven million watched the programme, peaking at 7.4 million, according to unofficial overnight figures.

The programme is broadcast on TV3 in Ireland and on ITV.

It proved more popular than the first ever episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which had 6.7 million viewers.

Abi Titmuss, Edwina Currie and Jennifer Ellison are among the stars being whipped into shape by Ramsay.

Investigative reporter Roger Cook was forced to pull out after falling off a chair and injuring his knee.

His replacement will be announced later today after being chosen from a list of stand-bys.

After a crash-course in cookery, the 10 celebrities will be serving 70 diners a night in Ramsay’s restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen.

Customers at the London eaterie will be a mix of celebrities and members of the public.

Ramsay showed flashes of his famously fiery temper in last night’s opening episode.

When athlete Dwain Chambers tried to make a soufflé, Ramsay thundered: “I wouldn’t serve that to my dog, get it in the bin.”

Viewers will soon be able to vote off their least favourite contestant.