While many fans were distraught to learn that The Great British Bake Off would be moving from BBC One to a new home on Channel 4, Jamie Oliver has insisted that it’s actually very good news indeed.
The 41-year-old chef, who originally found fame in 1999 on The Naked Chef, said: “[Bake Off] had quite a few years and the question was, was it getting better or plateauing or getting worse?
“I can't answer that.”
He continued to tell The Daily Star: “So I think there's a lot of energy that could mean that it could kind of progress into something amazing. Channel 4 do have a perspective you know and a little bit of gravel in the mix could be quite interesting.
“I think it's in the hands of [Channel 4 chief creative director] Jay Hunt and she's a trusted person, she's got a good head on her shoulders and she's personally committed to it.
"So there is no reason why it couldn’t be better. Wow, how about that!”
Oliver added: “I don't have any kind of genius bit of secret information but I don't see why it matters and actually the younger people, they don't really look at what channels they're getting their content from.”
The Great British Bake Off aired its final episode on the BBC last week, with an average of 14 million people tuning in to watch Candice Brown be crowned the winner.
It was the show’s highest overnight audience ever.
Two Christmas specials of the show will be broadcast on the channel in December, before the programme moves to Channel 4.
Presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, known fondly as Mel & Sue, announced that they will be stepping down from their roles on the show, and would not “follow the dough” to the rival broadcaster.
Judge Mary Berry, likewise, quit Bake Off soon after – although Paul Hollywood has since confirmed that he has signed a contract with Channel 4.
It has long been rumoured that Oliver would be stepping in as Berry’s replacement – especially as he previously said that he was secretly “in mourning because I’d love to be one of the judges”.
But, speaking to The Telegraph a few weeks ago, he remained very coy when asked if he would soon be analysing soggy bottoms with Hollywood.
“As much as I would get massive cred from my kids for having any kinda role, I’ve totally got my hands full even if I was asked, which I haven’t been,” he told them.
“I’m sure they’ll pick the new hosts wisely – I’m just as keen to see who they are as you are!”
Nigella Lawson, James Martin, and Ruby Tandoh have also been pipped as frontrunners for the vacant role.
Images: Rex Features
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