Channel 4 is set to air ‘Great British Bake Off’ spin-off show ‘Junior Bake Off’ – but will reportedly axe judge Nadiya Hussain.
The broadcaster won the rights to the Love Productions baking competition in 2016 when the programme left its original home with the BBC, and after also picking up spin-off shows ‘An Extra Slice’ and ‘Bake Off: The Professionals’, it is believed Channel 4 will now also air the kids’ edition of the popular show.
‘Junior Bake Off’ ran on BBC children’s channel CBBC in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016, with the most recent series airing two months after Love Productions made the move to the rival broadcaster.
However, it has been reported that Channel 4 will have to hunt for a new judge for the show if they do pick it up, as former ‘Bake Off’ winner Nadiya Hussain signed a deal in 2016 to keep her at the BBC.
A TV source told The Sun’s Bizarre TV column: "Channel 4 has really made ‘Bake Off’ their own.
"They believe they can turn ‘Junior Bake Off’ from a show meant to keep your kids quiet into compelling, adorable viewing.
"Plus, it will be a great platform for the culinary stars of tomorrow and inspire families to experiment in the kitchen."
If the show does need to hunt for new judges, they could go to Paul Hollywood, who judges the main competition and was the only member of the original line-up – which also featured judge Mary Berry and hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins – to follow the show to Channel 4.
Paul judged the first series of ‘Junior Bake Off’ but hasn’t returned to the spin-off show since.
Junior Bake Off to air without Nadiya Hussain?
