BBC offered Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood a role in Top Gear before he jumped ship to Channel 4
The BBC offered Great British Bake Off host Paul Hollywood “some appearances” in Top Gear before he decided to jump ship to Channel 4 and continue as host of the baking show, The Drum understands.
Paul Hollywood
Hollywood is the only host of the four to have agreed to stay with the format as it moves from the BBC to Channel 4, with Mary Berry refusing to follow the show out of "loyalty" to the BBC.
In an attempt to convince the host to show the same solidarity as Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, the BBC reportedly offered Hollywood a role in motoring show Top Gear, though the broadcaster has denied this was a presenting role.
Top Gear host Chris Evans quit the show back in July after just one series amid a drop in ratings and persistent criticism from viewers and the press. The BBC has been struggling to revive the format after hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May left in a similar solidarity movement after Clarkson was fired from the broadcaster.