White lifts lid on 'Hell's Kitchen' feud

Hell's Kitchen star Marco Pierre White has broken his silence over his feud with Angus Deayton.

Deayton was axed as host of the ITV1 reality show in February amid claims that he had been involved in "verbal spats" with White behind the scenes.

Last month, it was confirmed that Claudia Winkleman would take over presenting duties on the programme.

Speaking about the cause of his rows with Deayton, White told the News Of The World: "His humour was forced, and negative. I would be working hard and he would be making jibes at where I came from and my name.

"Claudia is naturally funny and the energy around her is much nicer."

White also continued his long-running feud with his former protégé Gordon Ramsay, criticising the star's alleged infidelity and fiery behaviour in the kitchen.

"Gordon's made some big mistakes, but trying to deny his affair was probably the biggest," the chef explained. "He deserved to be exposed.

"He will be remembered for how he's behaved on TV, and behind his wife's back, not on the great things he's achieved in the kitchen. His Michelin stars are now an irrelevance. And that's what he's becoming."

Hell's Kitchen launches tomorrow at 9pm on ITV1.