I love Mary as if she’s my mum. Splitting from her is like a family rift
GREAT British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has revealed that parting company with co-star Mary Berry had been so emotional that it felt like a family rift.
Hollywood will move with the hit show to Channel 4 – leaving Mary and presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins at the BBC, where they have all decided to stay.
Now, in his first interview since the shock news that Bake Off was leaving its BBC home, he has revealed the turmoil the last few months have put him through.
“It was like my parents had split up,” he said.
“It broke me in half. I love my job. I was gutted.”
Speaking about Mel and Sue he said: “I was upset that the girls had split and weren’t going to be with us any more.”
And he admitted that he was not prepared for the level of vitriol against him when he said he would move with the show to Channel 4.
He said: “Mary will never be the villain. I will always be a villain.
“I was sort of expecting it but when it hit me, it was like an express train.”
And he added: “I haven’t murdered anyone. But I think the Yorkshire Ripper got less press than I did.”
Hollywood insisted it was his love for the show that helped him reach his final verdict but money played a part in him moving with the show.
He admitted: “Would you work across the road? If you could double your wages, by going across the road to a rival, would you?
“Ultimately, the BBC said no, the BBC said we don’t want it, and the tent went to Channel 4.”
The row erupted in the summer when Love Productions opened up negotiations on a new contract for the show that was due to start in 2017.
The BBC refused to pay the £25 million a year that Love Production wanted for the show after viewing rocketed to 15.9 million at the end of the last series, making it one of the most successful shows in modern times.
It’s estimated the BBC had paid around £6 million a year for Bake Off.
Hollywood has scoffed at claims he earned around £71,000 per annum during his time at the BBC he said: “Oh God, nowhere near, nowhere near. “Do I deserve more money than I
was on? I think everybody needs to get more money. Inflation has gone up. If I get more money, that’s great news. That’s great news.”
He added: “I’d be happy for the BBC to release the figure to say how much I was paid but I can’t do that.” Explaining his reasons for staying with the show he said: “Ultimately, it was my job. “They made me. Bake Off made me. Why would I turn my back on them?”
And he is glad that he stayed loyal to Love Productions. He said: “I don’t work for the BBC. I work for a production company that works for the BBC.
“Love Productions made Bake Off what it is today. They made that programme.”
So has he regretted anything about his decision to leave the rest of the cast behind?
Paul said of Mary: “I love her like she’s my mother.”
But he insists he never tried to persuade her to come with him to Channel 4.
He said: “I said I’d never do that to her. I wouldn’t influence her on her decision. And I’d expect her to behave similarly.”
And he stayed tight-lipped about the identity of his new fellow presenters, who he says are currently being auditioned.
“I will be involved. The chemistry has got to be there,” he added.