Former Ready Steady Cook host Ainsley Harriott has revealed that he and co-star James Martin are in talks to bring back the classic cooking show.

The popular food programme aired on BBC Two between 1994 and 2010, with Harriott replacing Fern Britton as presenter in 2000.

“Me and James have been discussing it recently, he is at the forefront of the production side of things and he is saying that people are talking about it,” the celebrity chef told The Sun.

“Fingers crossed they go for it. It’s a unique format and there’s nothing else on TV quite like it - it’s so easy for people to follow. Me and James would do it, along with a raft of new chefs.”

The show saw two members of the public provide chefs on the ‘green pepper’ and ‘red tomato’ teams with a bag of ingredients, which the cooking pros would then use to create a meal on a deadline.

The studio audience would then vote for their favourite dish.

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Chefs including Gino D’Acampo, Phil Vickery, Aldo Zilli and Anthony Worrall Thompson appeared on the show during its 16 year run.

A celebrity spin-off which saw famous faces compete against family and friends aired from 1997 to 2003, with the likes of David Tennant, Kate Winslet, Richard Hammond and Fiona Bruce taking part.

Discussing a comeback for the show in 2017, Martin revealed that he believes “it’s only a matter of time” before Ready Steady Cook returns.

“I think Ready Steady Cook is iconic,” he told The Sun. “I think it’d give it ago. It’s a great format. I’d be a lot slower now than when I was doing it, because I’m a lot older.

“People remember that show however old they were. It was the most successful cooking show of its generation.”