They’re wonderful girls who made the show what it is.
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But while some have anxious about the arrival of adverts and changes to the classic formula, Channel 4’s chief creative officer Jay Hunt has attempted to put any fears to rest.
Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood have reportedly began talks with Channel 4 to stay on with The Great British Bake Off.
It said: “Working with Love Productions, we have grown and nurtured the programme over seven series and created the huge hit it is today”.
The popularity of the TV cooking contest since it debuted on the BBC in 2010 saw executives at Channel 4 poach the show with a stunning $33 million (£25 million) per series offer to Love Productions, the company behind it earlier this week (beg12Sep16). “It’s a public service, free-to-air broadcaster for whom Love Productions have produced high quality and highly successful programmes for more than a decade”.
Another fan, Amy Bletcher, 27, from Mold said: “I absolutely love Mel and Sue but I’ll keep on watching it”.
“They are pulling out all the stops to keep her at the channel, and are showering her with offers for different formats”.
Paul has previously hinted he would remain with the show, telling The Sun in April (16), “It’s not my call”. Nor does the show’s American home, PBS, where it is shown under the name The Great British Baking Show.
It remains to be seen whether Mary and Paul will stay on in their roles as judges after Mel and Sue’s shock departure announcement, but the Queen of baking has made it clear in the past that she considers the comedians an integral part of her “team”.
Channel 4 have already confirmed plans to air a celebrity “Bake Off” special in aid of Stand Up To Cancer next year, and it is thought they may have to wait until 2018 for a regular series due to a clause between the BBC and Love Productions.
He has previously fronted a one-off BBC show about Aston Martins, and said earlier this year that he would be doing “more vehicle programmes” in future.
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Last night a representative for Miss Berry said that the star “has no comment at this time”.
