Great British Bake Off could offer Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood £1million to not quit the show
After news the show is leaving the BBC for Channel 4 hosts Mel and Sue quit, and they don’t want their judges following suit
PAUL Hollywood and Mary Berry could be given a golden handshake of £1million EACH if they stay on as judges on the Great British Bake Off.
It’s being reported that the pair could get a three-year deal earning them between £300,000 to £350,000 a series.
It comes as presenting double-act Mel Giedroyc, 48, and Sue Perkins, 46, refused to make the leap from the BBC on Tuesday – a day after it was announced Channel 4 had bought the rights from makers Love Productions in a £75million deal.
All four stars had been thought to be earning around £500,000 a series, but an insider told The Mirror: “That’s hugely inflated, they were on less than half that. This would be a big pay hike.”
The source added: “It’s turning into a bitter turf war between rival TV stations – but at this rate it’s the viewers who’ll miss out.
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“Fans just want the series to stay the same as much as possible – that obviously means keeping Paul and Mary at the centre of it. It’s a shame some at the BBC seem to be looking for a way to sabotage that.
“Many of us feel it’s foul play and not the intended function of licence payers’ cash.”
Meanwhile, Paul, 50, was yesterday seen visiting Channel 4’s headquarters to kick-off discussions about signing a deal to stay with Bake Off.
He had talks with chief creative officer Jay Hunt, who is desperate to lure him over to front a revamped programme.
He is also thought to have been to see bosses at the BBC as he weighs up his options.
Industry insiders say he is more likely to make the switch and front the new show than co-star Mary Berry, 81, who has privately told of her loyalty to the BBC.
A source said: “Paul’s definitely not made up his mind yet on what to do and is looking at what’s the best deal for him. Channel 4 are desperate to secure him and provide fans with some continuity from the original line-up.”
It was also reported this week that Paul Hollywood could be given the Top Gear job in a bid to get him to stay at the BBC.
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