Paul Hollywood has teased that the standard of Channel 4’s forthcoming series of the ‘Great British Bake Off’ is "10 times higher" than it was last year on the BBC.
The 51-year-old celebrity chef – who moved with the show when it shifted broadcasters at the end of last year – has hinted that the new instalment will be explosive as they have some really "strong" characters competing this time around.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "The presenters are on for about five minutes and the bakers are on there for 50 minutes, so they are the stars of the show. The characters on this year’s show are the strongest we have had and the standard is ten times higher. People get wrapped up in all this ‘host and judges’ thing too much. They forget that it’s all about the bakers."
And it doesn’t look like it’s just the bakers who will be clashing during the new series as Paul has already locked horns with his co-judge Prue Leith backstage.
A show insider said: "The feeling backstage has totally changed with the new line-up. Prue has told staff she can’t stand Paul."
The 77-year-old presenter replaced long-time host Mary Berry after the popular baking show moved channels, while Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding are the new presenters after Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins walked away at the end of last year.
However, despite the rumours, a spokesperson for Channel 4 – who swiped the baking show from the BBC last September after they offered a higher sum in return for a three-year deal – is adamant the foursome get on really well.
The representative said recently: "’The Great British Bake Off’ team get on brilliantly and together have all the ingredients for a show-stopping series."
Paul Hollywood teases talented Great British Bake Off
