Mary Berry’s new show Britain’s Best Cook accused of ripping-off the Great British Bake Off as Channel 4 insiders highlight the similarities between the two shows

BBC bosses are facing accusations that their new Mary Berry cookery show is just a Great British Bake Off copy.

It came after the TV veteran, 82, was named as a judge for Britain’s Best Cook, to be hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

A source at Channel 4’s Bake Off said: “People are calling it The Great British Rip-Off.”

The show will feature amateurs baking cakes as they face different food challenges every week.

It will also have two judges, although who will replace Paul Hollywood as Mary’s sidekick has yet to be confirmed.

There will be no tent but insiders at Channel 4’s revamped Bake Off say it is still a dead ringer for their £75million series.

A source said: “The similarities between the formats haven’t gone unnoticed and those involved with Bake Off will be watching very closely for similarities when it comes to air.

“The idea of Mary Berry judging amateur cooks each week, with some of the challenges even including puddings, sounds extremely familiar. People are calling it The Great British Rip Off.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of money riding on all of this, so it isn’t going to be overlooked.”

The BBC has been looking for a replacement for Great British Bake Off, the most watched TV show of 2016, since losing the rights to Channel 4 in September.

They will hope to cash in on the popularity of Mary, who along with presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc refused to switch channels.

Britain’s Best Cook, unveiled today, will feature Strictly favourite Claudia Winkleman, the BBC’s highest paid female star, as a single host.

Like Bake Off, the new series will see contestants compete in a series of cooking challenges to prove their “skills and repertoire, technical ability, resourcefulness and creativity”.

It will focus on modern British home cooking and the ten competitors will have to serve up perfect versions of classic dishes such as roast beef, chicken curry or chocolate pudding.

Mary, who also has her own series, Mary Berry Everyday, on the BBC, said of the new show: “I am never more at home than when I have my judging hat on.

“This series is going to encourage proper home cooking, which I have always championed and I cannot wait to star.

“Claudia for me, is the icing on the cake.”

Claudia, 45, said: “I am over the moon to be part of this show.

“I am slightly obsessed with Mary so will follow her around with my own moussaka for most of the filming. Apologies in advance.

The launch date of Britain’s Best Cook is yet to be confirmed but sources insist it will not be ready to air until next year.

But one TV insider said: “Relations between the BBC and the Bake Off team have been very frosty since the show moved channels, and that has rumbled on to affect other shows made by the same people.

“This sort of move will reignite a lot of that ill feeling.”

But the BBC hit back, with one insider insisting: “These are completely different shows and they should focus on recreating the magic they had the BBC rather than worrying about what we are doing.”

Earlier this year, new BBC chairman Sir David Clementi warned against trying to emulate Bake Off.

He said: “To put an absolutely similar programme on would be very disappointing.”

The revamped Bake Off will launch on Channel 4 later this month.

Mary has been replaced as judge by restauranteur and food campaigner Prue Leith, 76, while Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding take over as hosts.

A BBC spokeswoman said last night: “They are different shows as those watching will see.”