'Great British Bake Off': Simon Cowell Offers BBC Help With Replacement

'I have got an idea for a new bread show and the BBC can have the contract for life.'

Media mogul Simon Cowell has weighed in over the BBC’s recent loss of the ‘Great British Bake Off’, revealing he’s willing to help the network come up with a replacement show.

Last week, ‘Bake Off’ fans were left reeling when the news broke that the show had been bought by Channel 4, which was followed by the shock announcement that Mel and Sue were stepping down as hosts of the show.

However, Simon - who serves as an executive producer on ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ - has insisted all isn’t lost for the Beeb, telling The Sun he thinks he has a solution.

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Simon Cowell
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'Bake Off' is now headed to Channel 4
BBC

We reckon the BBC might want to have a nice, long think before they put their trust in Simon, though, given that his most recent cooking show turned out to be something of a turkey.

His 2013 project ‘Food Glorious Food’ was fronted by Carol Vorderman, and saw a team of chefs searching for the UK’s best home-cooked meal.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly a smash hit, and after getting negative feedback from both viewers and critics, it was cancelled after just one series.

There’s clearly still a lot of life left in Simon’s other projects, ‘X Factor’ and ‘BGT’, both of which were renewed for three more series earlier this week, meaning they’ll be on our screens until at least 2019.

Jo Brand
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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.
Davina McCall
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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.
Alan Carr
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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.
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
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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'.
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
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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.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby
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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.

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