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Paul Hollywood says he didn't leave Great British Bake Off 'because I love that job'

The Bake Off judge has addressed claims he stayed with Love Productions 'for the money'

Roisin O'Connor
Saturday 03 December 2016 04:39 EST
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Paul Hollywood has addressed claims that he chose to stay with the Great British Bake Off for its move to Channel 4 because of the money he was offered.

The judge and TV presenter, who was the only original member of the hosting team who chose to stay with the show, said he spoke to fellow judge Mary Berry after receiving a message from Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins about their decision to leave.

"I got a text from Mel telling me what they were doing so I knew a couple of hours before everybody, and I think that was really the end of chapter one," he told The Sun.

"Mary and me spoke about Mel and Sue leaving and we understood their decision. Then we spoke about our decision."

Mary Berry then announced that she would also be leaving GBBO. Hollywood went onto sign a deal with Channel 4 which was worth a reported £1.5 million, but has since said that he didn't want to leave the job "because I love that job".

Hollywood explained that it was different for Berry as they were at different points in their careers, and he couldn't find a reason to part ways with Love Productions.

RadioTimes reported on Friday that the BBC is allegedly planning to play "hardball" over terms in its Great British Bake Off contract which could prevent Channel 4 from airing a full series next year.

The holdback or "cooling off" clause stipulates that if the show moves to another broadcaster it cannot be aired until the following year.

The BBC is believed to be planning a new cookery-style competition for 2017, with scheduling slots freed up with the absense of GBBO and The Voice.

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