Bake Off star I’m still pals with Mary
Bake Off star Paul Hollywood has spoken for the first time about his switch to Channel 4, saying: “I couldn’t leave the show.”
The baker, 50, insists his decision has not ruined his friendship with co- star Mary Berry, who is staying with the BBC.
Speaking about his move from the Beeb which left many viewers furious, Paul said: “I’m still doing what I’ve always done.
“When they picked me to do the job seven years ago, I was really shocked that I was given the chance to do this programme.
“To see it grow over the years, I just couldn’t walk away. I love doing my job.”
Paul – who has signed a £ 1.1million, three- year deal with Channel 4 – was speaking to fans at an event in Belfast.
One of the biggest things Bake Off fanatics wanted to know was how relations were with Mary.
He said: “I’ve known Mary for 12 years and I’ll always be mates with her. In fact, she phoned me up yesterday saying, ‘ Where are you?’ Because normally I pop in to see her and I haven’t seen her in a couple of weeks.”
Liverpool- born Paul looked relaxed last week as he gave demonstrations at the BBC Good Food Show.
He says the success the show has brought and the fall- out of the switch has left him stunned.
He added: “If you told me years ago I would be in the papers because I’d dunked a jaffa cake in a cup of tea, I’d never have believed you.”