Great British Bake Off's Mel Giedroyc Reveals How She Feels About Paul Hollywood's Channel 4 Defection, As She Hints At New BBC Show

Have things turned sour(dough)?

With ‘Great British Bake Off’ fans still bereft at the awesome foursome being split up after Paul Hollywood decided to move to Channel 4 with the show, they’ll be pleased to hear there’s no hard feelings - at least on Mel Giedroyc’s part anyway. 

The presenter, who quit the show with Sue Perkins and Mary Berry over the C4 move, has insisted she’s still pals with the baker.

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Paul Hollywood and Mel Giedroyc
Ian West/PA Archive

Mel appeared on ITV’s ‘Lorraine’ on Friday (6 January) when conversation turned to ‘Bake Off’.

When host Lorraine Kelly asked if she was still talking to Paul, despite the fact he chose not to remain loyal to the BBC, Mel insisted: “Listen, I love the guy genuinely.

“He’s a pal and a friend and I just don’t want any kind of hard feelings or bad vibes.

“We had seven years together and they were really fun, good years, so all good.”

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Mel appeared on 'Lorraine' to talk about 'Let It Shine'
Rex

The star also remained coy when Lorraine quizzed her about rumours of her, Sue and Mel teaming up on a new show for the BBC. 

“Who knows? Stranger things have happened!” Mel cryptically teased. 

It was reported earlier this week that Paul is being lined up to join Mary on the US version of the hit baking competition, which she helped launch last year. 

The insider told The Sun there could even be some interest from British broadcasters to air the show too.

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Mary and Paul could reunite on a US version of 'Bake Off'
BBC

Channel 4 snatched the rights to air ‘Great British Bake Off’ from the BBC in September, prompting Mary, Mel and Sue to quit out of loyalty to the broadcaster. 

The final episodes featuring the foursome in the tent aired over Christmas, sparking an emotional response from viewers.

Mel will be back on-screen hosting Gary Barlow’s new BBC talent show, ‘Let It Shine’, which begins on Saturday (7 January). 

Lorraine’ airs weekdays at 8.30am on ITV. 

10 Possible Choices To Replace Mel And Sue On 'Great British Bake Off'
Jo Brand(01 of10)
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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.
(credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Davina McCall(02 of10)
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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.
(credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Alan Carr(03 of10)
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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. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Nadiya Hussain and Tamal Ray(04 of10)
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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'.
(credit:BBC)
John Whaite(05 of10)
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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.
(credit:Steve MeddleITVRexShutterstock)
Olly Murs and Caroline Flack(06 of10)
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'Ready... set... BAKE... no wait... erm... not yet, don't bake yet. OH WAIT. No, do bake. So yeah... bake. Sorry about that.' (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Julian Clary(07 of10)
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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'.
(credit:Roberto Ricciuti via Getty Images)
Geri Horner(08 of10)
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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.
(credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Emma Willis(09 of10)
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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.
(credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby(10 of10)
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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. (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)