STORY SO FAR...
BBC bigwig Charlotte Moore is asked about the possibility of the Beeb losing GBBO. “I’m sure commercial rivals would love Bake Off, but it’s a big part of BBC1,” she says. “It is everything BBC1 should be about.”
Rumours are rife the BBC is in danger of losing the show and that ITV, Channel 4 and Sky are planning to swoop. A BBC source says the Beeb has a “strong relationship” with programme makers Love Productions.
Paul Hollywood appears on Top Gear and tells then-host Chris Evans he wants GBBO to remain on BBC1. “I’ve said, I think the girls have said it too, we want to stay with the BBC,” he states. “We want to stay with the BBC.” Fellow guest Jennifer Saunders brands the thought of the Beeb losing the show “ridiculous”.
News reports filter through that talks between the Beeb and Love Productions are not going well. Then claims appear that Love Productions bosses have sent an email to staff saying they will start looking for a new home for the show. There’s fury as gossip websites say the show is going to ITV.
10.53am – The BBC takes the unusual step of tweeting a statement about the negotiations. It states: “GBBO is a quintessentially BBC programme. We hope Love Productions change their mind so Bake Off can stay ad-free on BBC1.” Social media erupts.
12.19pm – Channel 4 tweets: “We’re delighted to announce we have a bun in the oven. #GBBO is coming to Channel 4!” Cue mass outrage.
Forget Brexit, the only topic in town is now Breadxit. Some bright spark comes up with that hashtag on Twitter and within no time there are thousands of tweets, making it the number one trend online.
Former contestants haven’t been this upset since their last soggy bottom. Flora Shedden tweets: “Sad to hear the BBC has lost rights to Bake Off. Its success is down to format and aesthetic. Commercialising will ruin that.”
Superfan Rebecca Moody launches a petition to keep GBBO on the Beeb. Thousands sign.
After fevered speculation about whether the future of the presenters and judges, Mel and Sue release a joint statement. “We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was… we’re not going with the dough.” The nation loves them even more for having integrity and loyalty – how many celebs can you say that for?
Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood have taken a vow of silence. On getting a phone call from a member of the press, Mary gets rid of them with a polite: “No comment.”
Mary’s husband, Paul Hunnings, says that: “Mary’s very happy with the BBC, put it that way.” What can it mean?
Jamie Oliver emerges as a frontrunner to become a judge. This is because he once said in an interview: “Secretly, there’s always a part of me in mourning as I’d love to be one of the judges.” Once someone remembers, the news spreads like wildfire.
Paul Hollywood breaks his silence to say: “It’s not my call. I’m just a judge.” He’s staying! Or is he?
The latest episode of GBBO is shown and viewing figures go up by 500,000 as curious nonviewers tune in to see what all the fuss is about.
Names start to emerge about other possible replacements for Mel and Sue. They include Davina McCall and Sue Perkins’ partner Anna Richardson – who last presented saucy Channel 4 show Naked Attraction. Surely not.
Boss Jay Hunt tries to calm things down by saying Channel 4 will be a “safe home” for Bake Off and it will be kept the same. No Mel and Sue, possibly no Mary and Paul – not quite the same Jay, eh?