All3Media 'closes on Optomen Television'

All3Media has become the frontrunner to acquire Optomen Television, the independent production firm behind Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and The F Word.

According to C21 Media, Midsomer Murders producer All3Media is close to agreeing a deal for Optomen that would value the firm at around £40 million.

Optomen is understood to have started its search for a buyer earlier in the summer, leading to interest from Big Brother producer Endemol and RTL subsidiary FremantleMedia.

Zodiak Entertainment, which acquired Wife Swap maker RDF Media in June, is also thought to have made an enquiry about Optomen.

However, All3Media has now leapfrogged the other suitors to become frontrunner for the firm, with a deal now only "weeks away" from completion.

Alongside the Gordon Ramsay-fronted entertainment programmes, Optomen also produces BBC Two's Mary Queen of Shops, Channel 4's Heston's Feast and ITV1's Police, Camera, Action!.