The Great British Bake Off: Channel 4 boss says show will 'have a safe home'
'The show of soggy bottoms and good crumb will be made by exactly the same team who have always made it'
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Your support makes all the difference.The Great British Bake Off controversy continues in full force, as the Channel 4 boss has spoken out in defence of the broadcaster's acquisition of the beloved BBC show.
Following news Bake Off would be moving from its ancestral home (of 7 series) at the BBC to Channel 4, things have been falling apart with lightning speed: from rumours that the BBC fell £10 million short of what makers Love Productions demanded, the swift departure of hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, and rumours baking experts Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry would soon follow.
Many viewers have been incensed by the decision; either taking to social media to bemoan what's been newly termed the 'Breadxit', or even signing petitions in a last-ditch attempt to stop its transfer.
However, Channel 4's Jay Hunt - chief creative office - has attempted to reassure fans the show will "have a safe home" after the move; writing in the Daily Telegraph, "The show of soggy bottoms and good crumb will be made by exactly the same team who have always made it. We love it just as it is. And for an amateur baker like me, that’s a real cause for celebration."
Hunt further explains, "The BBC and Love Productions grew Bake Off from a quaint idea into a global hit. But when they were unable to reach agreement on future series, Bake Off risked coming off free to air television altogether. By bringing the show to 4, Love Productions have ensured it will be on a terrestrial channel for audiences to enjoy for years to come."
"And we’ve got a good track record on protecting and growing the shows viewers love – from Jamie Oliver to Formula One, we’ve given great talent who’ve left the BBC the opportunity to thrive here." Hunt further claims revenue from the show will enable Channel 4 to continue producing more "innovative and experimental programming".
The current series of The Great British Bake Off airs every Wednesday on BBC One. You can read our recap of the latest episode here.
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