OHMYGOSSIP — Mary Berry thinks the ‘Great British Bake Off’ will still be a “success” when it moves across to Channel 4 later this year.
The 81-year-old baking star turned her back on the show, which she has judged on for six years, out of “loyalty” to the BBC after it was announced the rival broadcaster had snatched the rights to the series earlier this month.
But, although she no longer wants to be a part of the programme, she’s convinced her former co-judge Paul Hollywood – who has agreed to stay with the show when it moves to Channel 4 – will continue to make it a huge hit.
Speaking at the National Reality Television Awards in London on Thursday (29.09.16), she said: “It’s going to be different but I’m sure Paul will carry it on successfully.”
Mary’s exit came as a huge shock to fans because it came just days after hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins decided to walk away from the series, but she’s adamant she’ll never forget the “marvellous time” she had on the show.
She explained: “Mel and Sue are brilliant and we had a marvellous time on the programme and that’s how it will remain. You’ll never hear people swear. It’s a family programme. Mum, gran, everyone enjoys it and they all get down to baking afterwards. I’m proud of everyone. It gets 14 million [viewers] – more than the football!”
The future of the ‘GBBO’ has been hanging in the balance since it was revealed Channel 4 had bought the rights to the show for an estimated £75 million last week.
Channel 4 reportedly waded in with the three-year mega money deal after they found out negotiations between the BBC and Love Productions – the makers of the programme – had broken down.