ITV have denied they are plotting to poach Claudia Winkleman from the BBC with a six-figure deal offer.
Reports surfaced the presenter, 52, had caught the eye of bosses following the success of series two of The Traitors.
The final, which aired last week, drew in a staggering 6.9million viewers – more than doubling the series one final.
Sources claimed producers wanted Claudia to host a primetime Saturday evening show but would still present The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC.
Insiders told The Sun, ITV would offer Claudia £500,000 for such a role in a bid to boost its number of female presenters.
ITV have denied they are plotting to poach Claudia Winkleman from the BBC with a six-figure deal offer
Sources claimed producers wanted Claudia to host a Saturday evening show but would still present The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with Tess Daly) on the BBC
Last Saturday from 4pm until midnight, eight shows aired on ITV with 11 men hosting them including Tipping Point’s Ben Shephard, Bradley Walsh on The Chase, Joel Dommett on The Masked Singer and Ant & Dec fronting Limitless Win.
ITV firmly rebuffed the claims and told MailOnline they have a ‘broad roster of female on screen talent’.
They said in a statement: ‘We have a broad roster of female on screen talent across our entire daytime and primetime schedules, and a number of our biggest formats, including Love Island, Big Brother, The Voice UK, Dancing on Ice, My Mum Your Dad and Soccer Aid are hosted or co-hosted by female presenters.
‘Additionally, big weekend shows such as The Masked Singer, Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice UK and Dancing on Ice feature female talent in prominent on screen judging roles.
‘In the last year, we have broadcast shows including An Audience with Kylie Minogue, Mamma Mia I Have A Dream hosted by Zoe Ball and featuring three females on the judging panel, as well as the Olivier Awards and British Soap Awards which were both hosted by female presenters.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Claudia’s representatives for comment.
ITV’s denial comes after a source told the publication: ‘ITV very much see Claudia as the presenter of the moment. She’s smart, fun, witty, hard-working and is so sharp she’s considered a safe pair of hands when it comes to live TV.
Insiders said ITV would offer Claudia £500,000 for such a roleto boost female presenters. Last Saturday, eight shows aired on ITV and 11 men fronted them (pictured Ant and Dec)
The TV star has also found success with Channel 4 show The Piano
‘That means she could pretty much tackle any project bosses could throw at her, and it might offer her the next step up in her stellar career. There’s no suggestion that Claudia is about to quit Strictly, or that the BBC are concerned about her quitting the corporation entirely.
‘But she has been exploring more avenues recently, guest hosting on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV and The Piano for Channel 4 and since The Traitors became such a huge hit, everyone has been after a piece of Claudia. It’s just that an ITV show is seen as a natural move for her.’
Claudia is thought to make around £150,000 for Strictly and command an even bigger salary for The Traitors as she is the solo presenter.
The TV star has also found success with Channel 4 show The Piano.
Viewers were in tears when the first series was won by 13-year-old Lucy from Halifax.
In December, Claudia quit her BBC Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over
The Traitors ‘ final made history as it became the most watched episode ever in UK with a staggering amount of 6.9million people tuning in on Friday night
Claudia moved to BBC Three in 2003, where she was appointed to present a daily update show on Fame Academy (pictured)
Lucy stunned the audience with her performance of Debussy’s Arabesque No1 at the Royal Festival Hall.
She also played at King Charles’ Coronation Concert in May.
In December, Claudia quit her BBC Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over.
The media personality explained how it had been an ‘absolute privilege’ to host the show as she thanked her listeners.
She said: ‘It is an absolute privilege to be here every Saturday, chatting to amazing guests, being with Sally and mainly read your fantastic messages.
‘But here’s the thing and it is such a boring cliché so I apologise. Time is going too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was 3 about 5 minutes ago.
‘I still have a little one who wants to be with me. I don’t know how long that will last and I just need to be at home more.’
Claudia moved to BBC Three in 2003, where she was appointed to present a daily update show on Fame Academy.
In 2005 she picked up the role of Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two and took over from Bruce Forsyth as presenter of the main show in 2014.
The Traitors was renewed for a third series last year, before the second series even aired.
The series peaked an average 5.5million and a 33.5% share – making in the most watched programme in the last week – as Harry Clark emerged victorious.
Harry took home the £95,150 cash prize after outsmarting his fellow players in the nail-biting final.
