Ricki Lake hopes 'X Factor: Celebrity' will revive her TV career.
Ricki Lake
The 51-year-old American chat show host has auditioned for the 'X Factor' judges for the new series of the ITV show and is hopeful that it will lead to more TV work in the UK, including taking over from Jeremy Kyle after his show was axed
She told The Sun Online: "At this point in my career, I've done a lot. I've been around I think longer than anyone, apart from maybe [fellow contestant] Martin Bashir.
"I've had a 30+ year career in the business, doing lots of different things, from talk shows to acting, not so much singing, but this is like another thing I get to try. I am open to all the opportunities that comes from this.
"I'm an empty nester now. Both my children are grown, my kids are 22 and 18 and I have new love in my life who also could be very portable, so we'll see.
"I mean, I've only been here a few days, I've never lived here, but to be here two months and a half in this apartment, to walk my dog, I brought my dog - I'm living my best life, for sure."
Meanwhile, Jeremy had his show scrapped in May after a guest who failed a lie detector test died in a suspected suicide but he is reportedly set to make his TV comeback in 2020.
A source previously said: "Jeremy is a huge ratings draw and he has a great relationship with ITV, who are very keen to bring him back.
"So it was only a matter of time. An ITV team have been told 'find a format for Jeremy' and that is what they are working hard to do.
"His team have told them they are open to all ideas.
"As you would expect, chat show formats are being considered, but others are too. And it is not a given that his return will be to daytime TV.
"We are expecting to have initial meetings about what they come up with in September, with the aim of then having Jeremy back on TV early next year."
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