Marco Pierre White has denied rumours that this year’s Hell’s Kitchen will face huge cuts due to the ongoing credit crunch.

Speaking on ITV1’s This Morning, Marco denied that the set would be cheaper and ingredients of the value variety.

“That’s nonsense. Firstly the set is the most glamorous set I’ve ever seen, secondly the kitchen that I’ve got is a much better kitchen than I was given last time, and thirdly we’ve still got all the luxurious items like lobsters, turbots and quails’ eggs,” he explained.

Discussing his reasons for returning to the programme, he said: “To be quite honest, there is a little part of me that misses the kitchens.

“Let’s not forget I retired ten years ago, so to step back every so often is quite nice.”