'Great British Bake Off': French And Saunders Deny Reports They'll Host Channel 4 Version

They'd been touted as replacements for Mel and Sue.
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Jennifer Saunders has spoken out to deny reports she and Dawn French are being lined up to replace Mel and Sue on ‘The Great British Bake Off’. 

The comedy duo were said to be top of producers’ wish lists to front the baking show when it moves to Channel 4 next year, in a story published by The Sun.

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Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are being lined up to present 'Bake Off'
David M. Benett via Getty Images

However, ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ star Jennifer has now addressed the claims on Twitter, writing: 

The Sun’s story has also claimed Delia Smith was also being eyed as a potential replacement for Mary Berry, with a source told the paper: “The pressure is now on to sign up the best team possible for the show when it makes its debut on Channel 4.

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Delia Smith could replace Mary Berry
Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick

A Channel 4 spokesperson played down speculation, adding: “We are taking our time to find the right presenters and judges for ‘Bake Off’. We have not approached anyone about the roles.”

Mel and Sue stepped down as hosts of ‘Bake Off’ when it was announced Channel 4 had poached the show from the BBC in a £75m deal. 

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Paul Hollywood is the only star who will move with 'Bake Off' to Channel 4
BBC

Spice Girl Geri Horner and former winner Nadiya Hussain have also been linked to a presenting role, while Australian cook and writer Dan Lepard is said to be a contender for Mary’s job

Davina McCall ruled herself out hosting the show after she was rumoured to be a potential replacement for Mel and Sue, as it would contradict her sugar-free lifestyle.

Mary recently broke her silence on her exit, telling reporters at the National Reality Television Awards: “I think it’ll be different, and, I’m sure, very successful. And Paul will carry them through.”

‘Bake Off’ is set to launch on Channel 4 in 2017 with a special celebrity edition for Stand Up To Cancer. 

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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)

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