Great British Bake Off hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc step down after BBC loses rights to Channel 4

The duo have fronted the show with Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry since 2010

Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc are to step down as hosts of The Great British Bake Off following Channel 4’s acquisition of the Love Production show.

Earlier reports suggested the presenting duo, along with judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry, would not be returning to the show due to their relationship with the BBC. Channel 4 confirmed the news in a statement and have yet to reveal if Mr Hollywood and Ms Berry will return.

Ms Perkins and Ms Giedroyc said in a joint statement: “We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home. We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was.

“The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to nearly 15 million at its peak. We’ve had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps. We’re not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.”

It was previously reported that ITV did not bid for the programme due to fears the core presenting quartet would not follow the show as their contracts are separate from the Love Productions deal. The four have been fronting the show since its debut in 2010.

Love Production said of the duo’s departure: “We would like to thank Mel and Sue for bringing their own unique humour to the tent over the past years and we respect their decision not to be part of the Bake Off team on Channel 4.”

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said earlier in the day: “We would be delighted if the presenters and judges want to come to Channel 4.”

The BBC revealed that they “fell £10m short” of keeping the show, the corporation having offered Love Productions £15m. They detailed how Love Productions would not accept bids under £25m.

According to a widely cited internal email, Love Productions was not led on by the money but about finding the “best home” for Bake Off. It read, according to reports, “[we’re] really saddened by this outcome because we always wanted to stay on the BBC ... this has never been about who might write the biggest cheque but about where we can find the best home for Bake Off”.

Since the acquisition was announced, various past contestants have spoken out against the move to Channel 4, including last year’s runners-up. Meanwhile, the current series of Bake Off will continue to air every Wednesday on BBC One.