Paul Hollywood Admits Nerves About Channel 4 'The Great British Bake Off'

Paul Hollywood was asked by his new boss.

Paul Hollywood has revealed his nerves at the prospect of moving with ‘The Great British Bake Off’ to its new home at Channel 4.

Paul is the only star of the show to be going with the show, following Mel and Sue’s declaration they weren’t “following the dough” and Mary Berry’s decision to step down from the role.

The master baker was asked about the prospect of changing channels by Channel 4 boss Jay Hunt at a London Upfront event.

Paul Hollywood is the only judge to be going with the show to Channel 4
Paul Hollywood is the only judge to be going with the show to Channel 4
PA

How did he feel? “Nervous,” was his one-word answer.

Going back on message in front of his new boss, he added: “It feels like I’m part of something special. For me, I’m so excited and I know we will have a great time on Channel 4.”

Paul last week claimed the abuse he’d received since making the decision to stay with the show was as though “I’d murdered somebody”.

He also revealed that he had received his co-judge Mary Berry’s blessing to renew his contract. He added that Mary had confided in him she would have done the same, had she been younger.

Instead, Paul will go and Mary is to remain with the BBC, where she has already begun filming her new BBC Two show - ‘Mary Berry Every Day’ - another cooking show, because as the veteran baker said last week, “I only do things I love.”

Jo Brand
Barcroft Media via Getty Images
The obvious choice - Jo fits in well with the 'Bake Off' brand (IF YOU'LL PARDON THE PUN) having hosted spin-off show extra slice for the past three years.

She was also named the bookies' favourite, more or less as soon as Mel and Sue announced they were stepping down.
Davina McCall
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
Channel 4 and Davina go way back, with 'Big Brother', 'The Million Pound Drop' and 'The Jump' all among the projects she's worked with on C4 in the past.

On Twitter, hers is the name we keep seeing crop up time and time again, either from people crying out for her to get the job, or pleading with Channel 4 not to give it to her.
Alan Carr
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
Another of Channel 4's go-tos, Alan at the helm of 'Bake Off' would be a complete change in direction for the show, with his energy and buoyant enthusiasm contrasting heavily with Mel and Sue's more subdued and laidback approach to presenting.
Nadiya Hussain and Tamal Ray
BBC
Reigning champ Nadiya has already forged a successful career as a TV personality for herself, and it didn't even take her a year after she won, so putting her in charge might seem like a natural progression.

In our opinion, it would be a bit too obvious, though, but we'd definitely be in favour of her forming a new double act with runner-up Tamal, with whom she got along like a house on fire in their days on 'GBBO'.
John Whaite
Steve MeddleITVRexShutterstock
That said, John Whaite has always held a special place in 'Bake Off' fans' hearts since his victory in the third season.

Like Nadiya, he too has managed to bag himself a career in TV, so we wouldn't be surprised if the offer fell at his feet either.
Olly Murs and Caroline Flack
Doug Peters/Doug Peters
'Ready... set... BAKE... no wait... erm... not yet, don't bake yet. OH WAIT. No, do bake. So yeah... bake. Sorry about that.'
Julian Clary
Roberto Ricciuti via Getty Images
He might seem like a bit of a left-of-field choice for the gig, but when you think about it, he's a perfect fit for 'Bake Off'.

Julian is the undisputed king of innuendo, and his soft-spoken style lends itself perfectly to the 'Bake Off' tent.

He's also become a dab hand at light entertainment since his 'CBB' days, appearing on the panel of 'Your Face Sounds Familiar', as well as fronting 'Nature Nuts' and appearing on 'Give A Dog A Home'.
Geri Horner
Doug Peters/Doug Peters
Anyone who's been keeping an eye on Geri's Instagram page will know she's become a baking devotee since her winning stint on celebrity 'Bake Off', and this video of her interviewing Avril Lavigne proves she's certainly got a unique interviewing style.

Hmmm.... maybe not.
Emma Willis
Karwai Tang via Getty Images
Another star whose name has repeatedly been cropping up.

Emma must be so stressed out interviewing the stars of 'Celebrity Big Brother' twice a year that we'd be quite happy for her to land a presenting gig that's a bit more... calming.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby
Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images
OH BUT DON'T YOU SEE? They aren't doing it. And they felt the need to tell us this in one the least funny celebrity 'pranks' in recent memory, at the height of 'Bake Off' mania.
Close

What's Hot