With Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins quitting the Great British Bake Off over the show’s move from the BBC to Channel 4, the question of who will take over has been raised.

Now it seems that actor and comedian Richard Ayoade is the ‘leading candidate’ to take over the presenting role.

Best known for his role as Moss in sitcom The IT Crowd, Ayoade also co-wrote and starred in Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, and appeared in Charlie Brooker’s dark comedy Nathan Barley – all on Channel 4.

Ayoade has also made frequent appearances on Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz, and hosts Gadget Man and Travel Man on the network.

A source told The Sun: “Richard is a really popular choice at the minute, as many think he’s got a great character that would bring a great spark to the show.

“He’s got a wonderful off-beat sense of humour, which would really fit the change of channel – and would no doubt be a popular choice with viewers too.

The Great British Bake Off: who could replace Mel and Sue? 11 show all The Great British Bake Off: who could replace Mel and Sue? 1/11 Stepping down Mel and Sue will be leaving the Bake Off after the current series - so who could take over? BBC/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon 2/11 Nadiya Hussain Last year's Bake Off winner became a national treasure, and has since proved to be a great TV presence on the Chronicles of Nadiya and Loose Women BBC 3/11 Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp Is there a more quintessentially Channel 4 duo than Phil and Kirstie? The latter's love of home crafting would stand her in good stead 4/11 Robert Webb and David Mitchell The Peep Show duo could bring a similar understated charm and wit as Mel and Sue 5/11 Nigella Lawson While the Bake Off has always been more cosy than sultry, Nigella would be sure to spice things up a bit Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images 6/11 Dave Lamb You might not know his face - but you definitely know his voice, as the man who elevated Come Dine With Me to must-watch TV with his hilarious voiceovers 7/11 Richard Ayoade Despite his success as a director with Submarine and The Double, Richard Ayoade still presents Travel Man for Channel 4 - his superbly dry humour would add a new flavour to the Bake Off Ken McKay/ITV/Rex 8/11 The Fabulous Baker Brothers Channel 4's resident baking experts, aka Tom Herbert and Henry Herbert, are surely salivating at the prospect of the Bake Off changing channels Channel 4 9/11 Sandy and Sandra Look no further than Gogglebox for tons of brilliant TV personalities - and this hilarious duo would be our pick of the bunch Channel 4 10/11 Anna Richardson The TV presenter has previously proved she could make anything watchable - even Naked Attraction. Richardson would be perfect for Bake Off, except she's Sue Perkins' partner, so it might be a long shot 11/11 Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish Cult heroes Adam and Joe would bring a brilliant irreverence and joyous silliness to the Bake Off - though the former is busy with the podcast, and the latter has a successful career in the film industry BBC 1/11 Stepping down Mel and Sue will be leaving the Bake Off after the current series - so who could take over? BBC/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon 2/11 Nadiya Hussain Last year's Bake Off winner became a national treasure, and has since proved to be a great TV presence on the Chronicles of Nadiya and Loose Women BBC 3/11 Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp Is there a more quintessentially Channel 4 duo than Phil and Kirstie? The latter's love of home crafting would stand her in good stead 4/11 Robert Webb and David Mitchell The Peep Show duo could bring a similar understated charm and wit as Mel and Sue 5/11 Nigella Lawson While the Bake Off has always been more cosy than sultry, Nigella would be sure to spice things up a bit Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images 6/11 Dave Lamb You might not know his face - but you definitely know his voice, as the man who elevated Come Dine With Me to must-watch TV with his hilarious voiceovers 7/11 Richard Ayoade Despite his success as a director with Submarine and The Double, Richard Ayoade still presents Travel Man for Channel 4 - his superbly dry humour would add a new flavour to the Bake Off Ken McKay/ITV/Rex 8/11 The Fabulous Baker Brothers Channel 4's resident baking experts, aka Tom Herbert and Henry Herbert, are surely salivating at the prospect of the Bake Off changing channels Channel 4 9/11 Sandy and Sandra Look no further than Gogglebox for tons of brilliant TV personalities - and this hilarious duo would be our pick of the bunch Channel 4 10/11 Anna Richardson The TV presenter has previously proved she could make anything watchable - even Naked Attraction. Richardson would be perfect for Bake Off, except she's Sue Perkins' partner, so it might be a long shot 11/11 Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish Cult heroes Adam and Joe would bring a brilliant irreverence and joyous silliness to the Bake Off - though the former is busy with the podcast, and the latter has a successful career in the film industry BBC

“It’s still early days, but he is definitely up there and now the leading candidate.”

The only star of the original Bake Off to move to Channel 4 is Paul Hollywood, with fellow judge Mary Berry stepping down out of ‘loyalty’ to the BBC.

Following the announcement that 2015 Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain is working on new projects with the BBC, it has been speculated that she could be joining Berry, Giedroyc and Perkins in a rival baking show.

The Great British Bake Off is set to move to Channel 4 in 2017, after the current series on the BBC has ended.