The hilarious duo, who have hosted the show since it first aired on BBC2 in 2010, released a joint statement.
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They ended their statement: “We’ve had the most fantastic time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps”.
“We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that “Bake Off” will be moving from its home”. Love productions has stated that they have been in talks with BBC for the past year, with BBC make one last effort this past Monday to try and secure the show.
“The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to almost 15 at its peak. We wish all the future bakers every success”.
The presenters have been a formidable team since 2010, with their “good cop, bad cop” approach and their many double entendres.
Hollywood has previously spoken of he and his co-stars’ allegiance to the BBC. It was revealed yesterday that neither they, nor judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, were consulted during the BBC’s negotiations with Love Productions, which makes the show.
Fans have gone into uproar with many complaining about the use of adverts on Channel 4 and how it will effect their viewing of the show.
Barely a year later, the corporation was accused of attempting a similar move over the BBC One show, The Big Painting Challenge, presented by Richard Bacon and Una Stubbs.
The BBC’s opening offer to renew the contract is said to have equated to only an inflationary rise in the £200,000 that it now pays for each episode of Bake Off, which was rejected out of hand by Love.
Channel 4 has signed a three-year agreement with Love Productions.
As the show rates the highest in viewing figures for BBC, it is still freakish why the corporation would cut the show.
Its statement continued: “The BBC’s resources are not infinite”. BBC attempted to buy the rights back from Love Productions for £15m per year, but the company refused any offer under £25m.
Hordes of panicky viewers immediately howled in anguish at “Bake Off” leaving for another broadcaster, but Channel 4 quickly assured fans that they weren’t planning to overhaul or modernise the format.
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Channel 4 made the announcement that popular, pun-friendly hosts Mel and Sue would not be going with the show to its new home.
