Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite says show will FAIL without Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood
The 2012 show winner said presenters Mel and Sue also needed to be on-board for its success
GREAT British Bake Off winner John Whaite believes the hit show has "HAD ITS DAY" if Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood ditch their judges roles when the show moves to Channel 4.
The former winner threw his opinions into the mix on today's Good Morning Britain after we reported the current series of the cake-fest would be its last on the BBC.
It is unclear whether fans' favourites Mary and Paul, famed for their saucy innuendos, as well as hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc will switch channels but the BBC has confirmed they are contractually free to do so.
Talking of a GBBO without the four-piece John said: "It wouldn't be the same - those four have made it the show it is.
"It can survive on Channel 4.
"If they jump ship Bake Off has had its day."
Talking of the decision, which was announced when Love productions confirmed "exhaustive" negotiations with the BBC had broken down, he added: "It's so sad. It's a British institution.
"It's a national treasure."
Emphasising the four presenters would need to stay put to ensure success he again ranted: "It can survive if the producers go with it."
From next series the show, watched by more than 11million telly addicts, has a new home at Channel 4 and the first series will be a celebrity special for Stand Up To Cancer.
Meanwhile cake queen Mary, 81, told The Sun Online: “I have no idea, anything that happens is nothing to do with my choice.”
Co-host Sue Perkins hinted at her upset by retweeting a BBC statement which told how it had “grown and nurtured” the show over seven series.
John isn't the only celebrity to have been left horrified by the move.
Lord Sugar, Kirsty Allsopp and Nick Robinson took to Twitter to vent their anger with Apprentice host Lord Sugar writing: “I feel sorry for the BBC. They invested years in making Bake Off popular and the greedy disloyal format owner has sold it to Ch4.”
The station has signed a new three-year agreement and Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer said of the deal: “Channel 4 is very proud to be the new home for The Great British Bake Off.
"I’m delighted we have been able to partner with the hugely talented team at Love Productions to keep this much loved show on free-to-air television.”
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Richard McKerrow, Love Productions Creative Director said: “We believe we’ve found the perfect new home for Bake Off. It’s a public service, free-to-air broadcaster for whom Love Productions have produced high quality and highly successful programmes for more than a decade.
It was announced yesterday that the hit show would be leaving the BBC after talks broke down with the national broadcaster.
In a statement, Love Productions said: "After an extraordinary six-year journey with the BBC, Love Productions announces with regret that it has been unable to reach agreement on terms to renew the commission of The Great British Bake Off.
“We will now be focusing on finding a new partner to develop the familiar show that the British public turn to in their millions.
“Love Productions would like to thank the BBC for the role it played in making this show such an enormous hit, and the faith they showed in us over the years to develop it.”
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