Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - celebs Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

As the cool-headed judges on Bake Off, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood formed a popular partnership during their seven years together.

But now the pair could become bitter rivals after he chose to stay for the switch to Channel 4 while BBC bosses plan to create another show with her and presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.

Mary, who said she was staying out of loyalty to the Beeb, wished her former sidekick well.

But Paul initially never mentioned the 81-year-old as he bade farewell to colleagues – hastily adding her to a later ­statement.

BBC chiefs hope to reunite her, Sue and Mel for a cookery show after they were priced out of keeping Bake Off when makers Love Productions sold if for three times as much to Channel 4 in a rumoured £75million deal.

Sources at the Beeb said formats would be worked on in the coming months and a new chef drafted in to replace Paul – with former Saturday Kitchen host James Martin a likely option.

An insider added: “We’ve got three of the fab four staying with us. We’re thrilled.

“The chances of us reuniting Mary, Mel and Sue are very high.”

But Channel 4 chief Jay Hunt risked infuriating fans of Mary by playing down her importance to the show that attracted an average of 10 million viewers.

(Image: BBC)

She said: “Paul really is the star baker, an exceptional talent with a twinkle in his eye.

"His wit, warmth and wisdom are vital ingredients in Bake Off’s success. I’m so delighted he’s coming to Channel 4.”

Paul also told of his joy at staying.

The 50-year-old said: “Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life.

“The seven series inside the tent have created some great ­memories.

"Best of all, I have felt so pleased to experience other people getting the baking bug, just as I did when my dad helped me make my first loaf.

“Bake Off has brought baking to the nation and we’ve seen people from all walks of life and ­backgrounds ­experience the highs and lows of competition and, more ­importantly, helping each other.

"It’s been a huge part of my life and I just couldn’t turn my back on all that.

“So I am delighted I will be continuing as a judge when Bake Off moves to Channel 4.

“I want to thank the BBC and Mel and Sue for making my time in the tent great fun and rewarding.”

Listing what he felt made the show a great success, Paul again failed to mention Mary.

He said: “The bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, the tent, the bunting and the squirrels.”

Fans spotted the glaring snub. One tweeted: “No mention of Mary. What a gent.”

(Image: Love Productions - Photographer: Mark Bourdillon)

But Paul later issued another statement praising his former co-star – and sources said he was hugely disappointed Mary never made the switch to Channel 4.

Insisting there was no rift, he said: “When I spoke earlier on, I did not know what Mary was saying about her decision, and more importantly had not been able to speak to her.

“Let there be no doubt: I have loved every minute of my time working with Mary.

"I have learned so much from her and we are great friends inside and outside the tent. That will not change.

(Image: PA)

"Knowing her as well as I do, I am sure she has made the right decision for her.”

He then tweeted: “I’ll miss her.”

Mary announced she was staying with Bake Off an hour before Paul issued his statement – and paid a warm tribute to him and the rest of the team.

She said: “What a privilege and honour it has been to be part of seven years of magic in a tent, The Great British Bake Off.

(Image: MEN)

"The Bake Off family, Paul, Mel and Sue have given me so much joy and laughter.

"My decision to stay with the BBC is out of loyalty to them, as they have nurtured me, and the show, that was a unique and brilliant format from day one.

“I am just sad for the audience who may not be ready for change, I hope they understand my decision.”

And despite her disappointment at the BBC losing the show, she added: “I wish the programme, crew and future bakers every possible success and I am so very sad not to be a part of it. Farewell to soggy bottoms.”

Beeb content director ­Charlotte Moore, the executive responsible for commissioning Bake Off in 2009, said: “Mary is an extraordinary woman, loved and adored by the British public and the BBC is her natural home.

"I’ve been very lucky to have had the pleasure of working with Mary over the last seven years and I’m pleased that will continue.

“She is an inspiration to generations, a real icon and I can’t wait to cook up more unmissable shows with her.”

Rumours Mary had turned down £7million from Channel 4 were dismissed as “nonsense”.

But Paul’s new three-year deal is believed to be worth at least £4.5million – triple the reported £500,000 a year he was on at the BBC.

Love Productions boss Richard McKerrow tried to reassure fans Bake Off will not change dramatically – and said keeping Paul was a key factor.

He added: “Paul’s presence will ensure the culture of Bake Off continues on Channel 4.

“We want to ­reiterate to fans, that the show they love will remain wholly familiar.

(Image: BBC)

“Bake Off will be produced by the same team, in the same tent, with the same recipe.” But some fans were sceptical, fearing Channel 4 had blown £75million on a show which was not guaranteed to be a success.

One wrote: “They’ve bought the recipe but not the cake.”

Channel 4 sources denied there were plans to scrap adverts during Bake Off – and the show will be extended from an hour to 90 minutes.

And insiders said bosses will not be rushed into replacing Mary, Sue and Mel because they want to make sure the “chemistry” between any new stars was right.

Will Paul be as appetising without Mary?

So Paul Hollywood is the only Bake Off team star not to jump ship.

While Mel, Sue and Mary were unprepared to risk staying with the programme as it switched sides, Paul found that he could still somehow stomach it.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

And it was definitely, absolutely, quite certainly, categorically nothing to do with the millions of pounds they were offering.

Perish the thought.

Channel 4 has been at pains to stress how they “saved” the show from a fate worse than death as the pay-TV channels circled menacingly.

By kindly offering three or even four times what the BBC had previously paid, they were providing a service to viewers, you see.

And since buying the format – without any of the presenting stars on board – they’ve been at pains to stress just how identical the programme will be on Channel 4.

But we discovered that the claim rings hollow.

(Image: BBC)

Viewers have to sit through 90-minutes to find out who is Star Baker and can they ever hope to find another to match last year’s Nadiya Hussain.

It won’t have either of its much-loved presenters, nor Mary Berry – the vital ingredient.

Because while Jay Hunt praises Hollywood for his “wit, warmth and wisdom” she may be surprised to learn that it was Mary – and Mary alone – who provided the warmth when it came to judging.

Paul’s role, as a leading artisan baker, was to be the tough guy. Baking’s answer to Simon Cowell.

Somehow, Mary made him nicer – because her generosity of spirit took off his rough edges.

Without her? Not sure Mr Nasty will prove appetising.