Great British Bake Off’s fate determined after threat to iconic Channel 4 series

Channel 4’s flagship reality series was under threat (Picture: Channel 4/Mark Bourdillon)

Fans of the Great British Bake Off will be happy to hear that the wholesome reality series is likely to remain on Channel 4 after uncertainty over its future.

The baking and cooking show, which originally started on the BBC back in 2010 and moved to Channel 4 in 2017, had its future called into question in recent months.

It’s been revealed that the show’s contract with Channel 4, which is managed by its production company Love Productions, will soon end, which left some worried that international streaming companies could bid to host the show.

However, it appears that Love Productions have decided to stay with Channel 4 after all, with fears that Bake Off would go behind a subscription thankfully eased.

An insider told The Sun: ‘Love Productions, which makes Bake Off, really wants to make the show as accessible as possible for the army of devotees who’ve loyally supported them for the past 14 years.’

Bake Off will remain on Channel 4 after all (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions)

The source continued: ‘So despite rumours of multi-million-pound deals with streamers, they’ve decided to stick with Channel 4 where the whole nation can tune in to what’s now considered a national treasure.

‘Channel 4 and Love Productions are now hammering out the details, but they’re working on the basis that Bake Off will stay put.’

The programme has already undergone several big changes over the years, with the show controversially moving from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2016.

Paul Hollywood has been a judge on Bake Off since day one (Credits: Channel 4/Mark Bourdillon)

At the time, hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc announced they would be leaving the show, while judge Mary Berry also departed, with many worried the show wouldn’t be the same again.

However, once the move to Channel 4 was complete, judge Paul Hollywood announced he would be staying alongside new judge Prue Leith, while Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig took over presenting duties.

The show also moved from its usual location of Welford Park to Down Hall during the two seasons that were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted production.

And most recently, Sandi Toksvig’s replacement Matt Lucas left the show just three years after joining as a presenter, with Alison Hammond taking his spot.

There’s no official word yet on when Bake Off will be returning – but in the last three years the first episode has aired in September, indicating that we’re only five months away from going back to Welford Park.

Away from the series, Bake Off’s youngest-ever contestant announced the birth of her first child on Monday. Martha Collison, who was 17 when she appeared in the famous tent, gave birth to a boy.

Martha posted an adorable montage of her and husband Michael Haywood’s new arrival on Instagram after they brought him home from hospital – she also revealed their son’s unique name.

Revealing his full name, she added: ‘Kenaniah Jude, you’ve changed our whole world and we are so grateful you are ours.’

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