Rivers died of brain damage during a surgical procedure to her throat to stop acide reflux on September 4. A coroner found the damage caused by low blood oxygen after she stopped breathing during a laryngoscopy and an endoscopy, which is performed under anaesthesia, and it was "a predictable complication of medical therapy".

According to US media reports Griffin will join Rivers' daughter Melissa Rivers on the show, along with panelists Kelly Osbourne and Giuliana Rancic.

Although the program's broadcaster, the Comcast-owned E! channel has not confirmed the news, sources have told the US celebrity news website TMZ the deal is "done".

Griffin had previously stated publicly that the channel had approached her, but that she had not made a decision about it.

According to reports, E! is planning to bring the series back but not in its weekly format.

Instead, TMZ reports, they would produce it as a series of specials, tied to major events such as the Emmys, the Oscars and the Golden Globes.

There has been speculation for several months that Griffin was a contender for the gig.

According to reports her close friendship with the iconic Joan Rivers, who died after complications following a surgical procedure earlier this year, helped clinch the deal.

It is understood Rivers' daughter Melissa had insisted to producers that her mother's replacement be someone her mother would have approved of.

The late Joan Rivers was a mentor and friend to Griffin, and a big supporter of her career.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the series will return for the Golden Globe Awards, on January 12.