Great British Bake Off on Channel 4: It’s about money, says BBC, it’s not about money, say producers

'We made a very strong offer to keep the show but we are a considerable distance apart on the money. The BBC’s resources are not infinite,' said the broadcaster

It was announced that The Great British Bake Off is departing the BBC for Channel 4 last night, and the public are about ready to topple the Gherkin using their bare hands in protest.

The contest is one of the BBC’s biggest hits, feels quintessentially Beeb and the broadcaster will be very sad to see it go.

Love Productions, which makes the show, reportedly told staff in an email:

“We are really saddened by this outcome because we always wanted to stay on the BBC.

“As recently as June we were convinced that was what would happen. This has never been about who might write the biggest cheque, but about where we can find the best home for Bake Off.”

That’s all very noble, but the BBC’s official statement paints a different picture:

“Working with Love Productions, we have grown and nurtured the programme over seven series and created the huge hit it is today,’ the organisation said in a statement.

“We made a very strong offer to keep the show but we are a considerable distance apart on the money. The BBC’s resources are not infinite.

“GBBO is a quintessentially BBC programme. We hope Love Productions change their mind so that Bake Off can stay ad-free on BBC One.”

BBC cutbacks are likely to blame for the move, though it’s still surprising the broadcaster didn’t scrape together every penny available to keep its beloved show.

Bake Off initially seems like a huge coup for Channel 4, but it remains to be seen how viewers will take the relocation.

With adverts and a presumably slightly altered format, it could be fated for the same backlash as the Top Gear revamp.