The Great British Bake Off moving to Channel 4 could mean the show loses Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc
Both judges have expressed their allegiance to the BBC
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Your support makes all the difference.For many, news of The Great British Bake Off moving to Channel 4 is infuriating, the show having been nurtured by the BBC for the past seven years.
UPDATE: Mel and Sue have quit as hosts following the acquisition. Read the latest here.
Worryingly, the show’s core on-screen team - Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc - may not stay with the show once the move takes place next year.
The Guardian is reporting that none of the stars were consulted about the move, with both Hollywood and Berry previously stating their allegiance is with the BBC.
Berry reportedly told The Sun: “I have no idea, anything that happens is nothing to do with my choice.” The publication also cited an insider as saying: “[Berry]’s concerned with how the integrity of the show will change when it moves channel. She has several eggs in the BBC basket — so has always been reluctant to leave.”
Meanwhile, during his appearance on Top Gear, Hollywood told Chris Evans: “It’s not up to us, it's up to the production company, but as far as Mary, Mel, Sue and myself are concerned we want to stay on the BBC.”
Co-presenter Perkins retweeted the BBC’s statement that reads: “Working with Love Productions, we have grown and nurtured the programme over seven series and created the huge hit it is today.
“We made a very strong offer to keep the show but we are a considerable distance apart on the money. The BBC’s resources are not infinite.
“GBBO is a quintessentially BBC programme. We hope Love Productions change their mind so that Bake Off can stay ad free on BBC One.”
Various reports are stating Love Productions are keen to keep the quartet, and with Channel 4 having apparently paid in excess of £25 million for the show, there’s likely no shortage of money being offered.
According to an internal email, Love Productions were not led on by the money but about finding the ‘best home’ for Bake Off. It read, according to reports, “[we’re] really saddened by this outcome because we always wanted to stay on the BBC ... this has never been about who might write the biggest cheque but about where we can find the best home for Bake Off”.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to agree either a fair valuation, nor were the BBC able to provide the necessary comfort for the future protection of such a distinctive and much-loved television series.”
The current series of Bake Off airs every Wednesday on BBC One. Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc have all been reached for comment.
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