‘The Great British Bake Off’ is in danger of losing Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc when it moves to Channel 4.
The two judges and pair of presenters have all previously admitted they are keen to remain on the BBC, and production company Love Productions, who have signed a three-year deal to air the baking show on Channel 4 from 2017, will have to try to tempt the quartet to remain on the programme.
A source said: "Everyone is used to Paul, Mary, Mel and Sue being a part of the show.
"Love can’t foresee a show without them, but also they never could imagine leaving the BBC."
Sue is said to be particularly fond of the BBC and last night (12.09.16) retweeted a statement from the BBC Press Office which pleaded with Love Productions to "change their mind" so that ‘Bake Off’ can stay "add free" on the channel.
The statement read: "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."
A source added to The Sun newspaper: "Sue is an unashamed fan of the BBC and didn’t want to leave. Her and Mel both wanted it to stay put.
"Sue sharing the BBC’s statement giving itself a pat on the back rather than Love’s looking ahead to the future says it all."
What’s more, Mary has spoken out about the shock ‘Bake Off’ move from the BBC – where the show first aired and has done for six years – admitting she has "no idea" what will happen next.
She told The Sun Online: "I have no idea, anything that happens is nothing to do with my choice."
Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s chief creative officer, said last night: "Channel 4 is very proud to be the new home for ‘The Great British Bake Off’. I’m delighted we have been able to partner with the hugely talented team at Love Productions to keep this much loved show on free-to-air television."
Whilst Richard McKerrow, the creative director of Love Productions, added: "We believe we’ve found the perfect new home for ‘Bake Off’. 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.
"It’s tremendously exciting to have found a broadcaster who we know will protect and nurture ‘The Great British Bake Off’ for many years to come."
This came just hours after Love Productions said in a statement: "After an extraordinary six-year journey with the BBC, Love Productions announces with regret that it has been unable to reach agreement on terms to renew the commission of ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
"We will now be focusing on finding a new partner to develop the familiar show that the British public turn to in their millions."
Great British Bake Off to lose Mary, Paul, Mel and Sue?
