Nadiya Hussain speaks on Mary Berry’s GBBO exit – as she’s tipped to join Paul Hollywood as new judge
Former winner is the front runner to take over as a judge when baking show moves to Channel 4
NADIYA Hussain has spoken for the first time since it was revealed she is the clear front runner to replace Mary Berry as a Great British Bake Off judge when the show moves to Channel 4.
The former winner of the hit baking show has odds of 3/1 with Sun Bets and William Hill to replace the legendary judge, who sensationally announced her decision to quit the programme following its move to Channel 4 from the BBC.
While Mary, 81, has decided to remain loyal to the BBC, her co-star Paul Hollywood has signed a three-year multi-million pound deal to follow the show to its new home from next year.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday night following the news, Nadiya avoided making any comments about her own name being linked to the show as Mary's replacement, but paid tribute to the two judges who had chosen her as their winner.
She said: "Wow busy day! Just catching up with everything.
"Love Mary and Paul and I'm sure they've each made the right decision for them."
Mary's departure follows host's Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc decision to quit the show and to not go with "the dough" after Channel 4 paid Bake Off creators Love Productions £75 million for a three-year deal.
Joe Crilly, a spokesperson for William Hill, said: "Mary was a key element of the show almost as much as Mel & Sue and now with just Paul Hollywood and a tent, Channel 4 now look to have bought the biggest White Elephant in TV history and the viewing figures may reflect this."
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Nadiya, who won the sixth series last year, has proven to be a big hit with viewers since claiming the title, and recently starred in her own hit series, Chronicles of Nadiya.
But while she is the favourite to replace Mary, she faces competition from other famous faces in the cooking world.
Former Saturday Kitchen host James Martin is 4/1 according to William Hill, while Sun Bets places American TV star Martha Stewart has odds of 5/1 with Sun Bets.
It also places Jane Asher at 7/1, Nigella Lawson at 8/1 and Rosemary Shrager at 10/1.
Delia Smith could add the Bake Off to her list of TV shows if her odds of 12/1 come through, while Jamie Oliver has odds of 20/1 and the Hairy Bikers are at 33/1.
Meanwhile, William Hill has Clare Balding as the favourite to replacec Mel and Sue as hosts with odds of 7/1, while Extra Slice host Jo Brand is close behind at 8/1 along with Jamie Oliver.
Elsewhere, Jennifer Saunders is at 10/1 while Sandi Toksvig are at 12/1 and Sunday Brunch hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer are joint at 12/1.
Also in the mix are Claudia Winkleman at 14/1 and Davina McCall, Ed Byrne and Sarah Millican all at 16/1.
