The amazing dough French and Saunders turned down from Bake Off
DON’T LOOK NOW, NOEL! YOU’VE GOT THE SMALLEST SLICE
GREAT British Bake Off producers are so desperate to ensure the show is a success when it moves to Channel 4 that they offered Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders an astonishing £2.5m to host it.
But the sweet deal was not enough to entice the comedy duo – who fear the show will be a high-profile flop when it relaunches later this year.
‘It was never a viable option for them,’ said a source close to them. ‘A lot of money was offered, but Channel 4 have bought a turkey.’
The broadcaster paid a reported £75m last year to poach the show from the BBC, sparking anger among fans. Hosts Mel and Sue and judge Mary Berry all refused to remain with the programme, citing loyalty to the BBC, forcing programme-makers Love Productions to offer big-money contracts in an attempt to recreate the chemistry that made the original such a hit.
But French and Saunders hardly need the money. Jennifer, 58, is worth about £20m, courtesy of projects such as Ab Fab and its spin-off movie; while Vicar Of Dibley star Dawn, 59, had already signed to ITV to host its child talent showcase Little Big Shots.
A Bake Off source said: ‘They were the top of the list to replace Mel and Sue. They absolutely would have brought in the viewers but it wasn’t to be. An offer was put in – a pretty high offer – but it wasn’t enough. The impression was no amount would have been enough.’
On Thursday it was announced comedians Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding would be the new hosts, with cookery writer Prue Leith, 77, taking over from Mary Berry.
While Mel and Sue earned about £100,000 each per series, The Mail on Sunday has learned that Ms Toksvig is picking up £750,000, while Fielding will be paid £250,000.
The source added: ‘Noel didn’t have the same bargaining power as Sandi – she is always inundated with work offers, Noel less so. He is just delighted to be working on the show. He can’t believe his luck. Sandi is a big fan of Noel’s so they are excited about working together.’ It is Fielding’s most high-profile TV job yet, but there are fears his drug-taking past and weird sense of humour will prove a turn-off for the show’s conservative viewers.
Ms Leith will take home £500,000 – the same as Ms Berry – but also has a ‘back end’ deal entitling her to a share of Bake Off merchandise, such as cookbooks. Fellow judge Paul Hollywood, the only star to stay with the show, has had the same back-end deal added to his salary, also about £500,000.
‘No amount would have been enough for them’