Simon Cowell wants to create a ‘Great British Bake Off’ replacement for the BBC.
The 56-year-old star has an idea for "a new bread show", and he’s willing to sell the broadcaster the rights to the programme "for life" after the corporation lost out on ‘GBBO’ to Channel 4.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, Simon said: "I am open for business and I have got an idea for a new bread show, which involves cakes and innuendos and the BBC can have the contract for life."
Despite Simon being a long-term rival to the BBC – his talent shows ‘X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ both air on ITV – he has sympathy for the bosses after they lost the rights to the baking show.
Last week, the Love Productions – the company who produce ‘Great British Bake Off’ – decided to leave the BBC behind when they signed a lucrative £75 million, three-year deal with Channel 4 to air ‘Bake Off’.
Simon, on the other hand, chose to remain loyal to his broadcaster last week when he signed a deal to keep both his UK talent shows on ITV until 2019, and he thinks Love Productions have made an error.
He said: "Personally I think it is a mistake. I just do. I feel bad for the BBC, because they launched the format and it must be incredibly frustrating when you are in that position and you have got a huge hit but you can’t compete.
"But I get the reasons why you can’t compete."
Channel 4’s ‘Great British Bake Off’ reign will begin with a celebrity special in 2017.
Simon Cowell to create Bake Off rival
