Paul Hollywood has hinted that he’ll stay as a judge on the ‘Great British Bake Off’ when it moves channels next year.
The 50-year-old silverfox – who has featured on the programme for six years – is not ready to wave goodbye to the cooking show yet and will follow it across to Channel 4 when it leaves the BBC later this year because he’s employed by Love Productions – the company behind the popular series – rather than the broadcaster.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It’s not my call. I work for Love Productions. I work for the ‘Bake Off’."
The fate of his co-judge Mary Berry is not yet known but her husband Paul J.M. Hunnings doesn’t think she’ll stay.
He said: "She’s [Mary] very happy with the BBC, put it that way. [At the moment I don’t think Mary is] signing anything with Channel 4 and what her colleagues choose to do will be a factor in her final decision."
And the 81-year-old baking legend is no doubt heartbroken that the programme’s co-hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have quit as the presenters following the news that the BBC has lost its rights to the show.
Mary said recently: "The four of us, Mel, Sue, Paul and me, are a team. We get on really well and our aim is to make a good programme.
"A lot of that goes to Mel and Sue — if you could hear what they say off camera you would laugh even more."
The BBC offered Love Productions an estimated £15 million per year – double the current contract – in a bid to keep hold of the show, but producers refused to accept offers below £25 million.
It’s believed Channel 4 quickly waded in with a three-year deal – worth a reported £75 million – after talks between the BBC and Love Productions broke down late Monday (12.09.16) afternoon.
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.
Paul Hollywood to stay as a judge on Great British Bake Off?
