'Like bread without butter' - Twitter reacts as Mary Berry quits the Great British Bake Off and Paul Hollywood follows the dough to Channel 4
Twitter has gone into meltdown at the news that Mary Berry won't be following the Great British Bake Off to Channel 4 while co-judge Paul Hollywood has signed a three-series deal with the broadcaster.
The Internet reacts as Marry Berry quits the Great British Bake Off
Bidding, "farewell to soggy bottoms," the longstanding host announced earlier that she was "so very sad," to be departing from the much-loved programme but conceded that she wouldn't jump ship out of loyalty to the BBC.
Less than an hour after the news was announced, Hollywood stole the limelight releasing a statement of his own declaring that he was "delighted," to be moving to the Channel 4.
Fans of the the baking phenomenon are less than impressed, with many taking to social media to declare that Berry's departure is the icing on the cake format.
Earlier this month, Bake Off hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins issued a statement saying they would not be inking a deal with Channel 4, leaving some to point out today that all the network has effectively gained in the multimillion pound deal with Love Productions is the Bake Off tent, and Hollywood.
Have Channel 4 just bought a tent with Paul Hollywood in it?
— Adrian Bradley (@adebradley) September 22, 2016
"Mary Berry is out"
"Yes"
"Mel & Sue too"
"Yes, but it's the format we paid for"
"This is a piece of paper with 'baking show' on it!" #GBBO
— Unnamed Insider (@Unnamedinsider) September 22, 2016
"idea for a programme. Camping with Paul Hollywood. It'll have Paul Hollywood on his own, in a big tent..." pic.twitter.com/SSL379OxOP
— Nigel Barrett (@NigelBarrett6) September 22, 2016
Others Bake Off lovers criticised the production company for following the dough.
I can't deal with Mary Berry leaving #GBBO - Love productions has basically done this to the programme pic.twitter.com/Z5RS5PO0Nj
— Michael Pearson (@MPJourno) September 22, 2016
Love Productions press office: pic.twitter.com/XQhPOIeujj
— Liam (@_liam_hall) September 22, 2016
"Hello, it's Channel 4 calling for Love Productions. Hello? Is anyone there? What's that sound...?" pic.twitter.com/elZ9GitGFA
— Simon Underwood (@SiFoulaReel) September 22, 2016
Unsurprisingly, Hollywood was subject to a fair share of criticism.
First look at Channel 4's new edgier, Berry-less #GBBO: pic.twitter.com/OeuHdOnWB1
— Robin Edds (@robinedds) September 22, 2016
PAUL HOLLYWOOD YOU ARE A SELL OUT #GBBO pic.twitter.com/tj8eFBA2Fz
— Lindsey Alder (@linds_alder) September 22, 2016
Paul Hollywood right now with his new contract. Surrounded by baklava, various breads and a showstopper windmill #GBBO pic.twitter.com/1Ocm7y82Mv
— John Isherwood (@johnisherwood) September 22, 2016
Although, some bakers did offer him a few words of encouragement.
In a darkened room filled with the aroma of fresh bread, Paul Hollywood downs some Cypriot moonshine and mutters: "You can do this Paul..."
— Stuart Millar (@stuartmillar159) September 22, 2016
The sadness was further offset by tweets commending Berry's loyalty to the BBC.
Mary Berry leaves #britishbakeoff Like @sueperkins and @MelGiedroyc loyalty comes first #bbc pic.twitter.com/9AktvulrJk
— An (@an9936) September 22, 2016
"Paul Hollywood signs 3 series deal with #GBBO @Channel4" .. Meanwhile, Mary Berry reacts to the news; pic.twitter.com/npkUEZaB2y
— Adam Lea (@adamlea2) September 22, 2016
Celebrities started getting involved.
With Mel, Sue and Mary leaving the Bakeoff it looks like C4 have bought the Beatles without John, George and Ringo - good luck Paul
— John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) September 22, 2016
MARY!!!! pic.twitter.com/hmmsf0cwuR
— Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) September 22, 2016
Non-Bake Off fans just didn't get it, and pointed out how ridiculous it was than Britain was whipping itself into a frenzy over a show about cakes, and had some other suggestions on what the judges should do with their time.
I'm amazed by how many people are genuinely invested in the fate of #GBBO . It's just a television show. #notnews #perspective
— Kelli (@kellizezulka) September 22, 2016
BBC announces new Top Gear presenting team pic.twitter.com/tsPVvuINMG
— Philip Larkin (@philiplarkin) September 22, 2016
Love Productions released a statement saying it respected Berry's choice not to join the "next chapter of the Bake Off story."
We are immensely grateful to her for all her work and for her recognition today that Love Productions had made a unique and brilliant format from day one with Bake Off.
"The whole family, crew and team that made Bake Off for the BBC, and who will now make it just as brilliantly for C4, will miss her," it added.
Meanwhile, BBC One controller Charlotte Moore called the judge "an extraordinary woman, loved and adored by the British public," adding that the BBC was "her natural home."
Richard McKerrow, who is creative director at Love Productions said it was pleased that Hollywood was joining the lineup to "encourage, inspire and raise the occasional, quizzical eyebrow."
"Paul's presence will ensure the culture of Bake Off continues in the tent as it makes its move to Channel 4. We want to reiterate to Bake Off Fans that the show they love will remain wholly familiar, and that Channel 4 is a great place to make our show. Bake Off will be produced by the same team, in the same tent, with the same recipe," he finished.