Bake Off judge says being branded a traitor after switch from BBC ‘hurt’

The Great British Bake Off’s judge Paul Hollywood revealed it “hurt” when critics labelled him a traitor for sticking with the show when it moved to Channel 4.

The TV baker was the only member of the programme’s original host line-up to stay with producers Love Productions when they moved the cooking contest from the BBC.

His co-host Mary Berry and presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc stepped down, but Hollywood will return alongside new faces Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and 0 Paul Hollywood said he always goes against the grain Sandi Toksvig when it comes back to screens tomorrow.

But while his former colleagues commented on their “loyalty” to the show’s original broadcaster, some slated him for not following suit.

The 51-year-old said: “Being called a traitor was one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced. It hurt.

“Who am I a traitor to? I still work with the BBC on other shows. I don’t like bullying, so I always go against the grain. At the end of the day it was the right thing for me to do.”

Describing the baking competition as his “biggest achievement,” he said he never had any intention of leaving, adding: “I wanted to be loyal to the guys that were loyal to me and I am very glad I went with the show.”

He also claimed viewers will enjoy baking standards “ten times higher” than before.