Great British Bake Off bosses eye-up Australian chef Dan Lepard to join Paul Hollywood as judge for new look show on Channel 4
Mary, Mel and Sue have decided to remain at the BBC after the baking show moved to Channel 4
PRODUCERS of The Great British Bake Off are reportedly keen to sign Australian chef Dan Lepard to replace Mary Berry as a judge on the new look Channel 4 show.
Love Productions - the company behind Bake Off - want Dan to join the sole remaining judge Paul Hollywood on the revamped series.
The highly-coveted gig could be a good fit for Dan, as he was a judge on the Australian version of the show back in 2013.
According to the Daily Star, TV bosses would love to have him in the role and he has a good relationship with Channel 4 as he also regularly appears as a guest chef on Sunday Brunch.
Dan, who is married to business manager David Whitehouse, previously admitted he found the Bake Off hard because of all the snacking on sugary treats.
He said: "By the time we’ve carefully judged every contestant we’re full as a goog. And it wouldn’t be right to chunder after you’ve tasted the last cake.
"I never thought I’d end a day thinking, ‘That’s enough cake’.”
An insider told The Guardian that the BBC is considering getting its own back on Channel 4 and launching its new format before Bake Off airs at its new home.
They said: "We have not ruled anything out and we could well reunite Mel, Sue and Mary.
“And yes, we could probably get a show out before Channel 4, if we chose to do so.
"We are looking lots of ideas, although we are not yet ready to make an announcement.”
Following the news of Bake Off's move to Channel 4, hosts Mel and Sue announced they would not be "following the dough" and soon after legendary judge Mary Berry also revealed she would be remaining loyal to the BBC.
That just left fellow judge Paul Hollywood, who agreed to move with the show to its new home, reportedly for a £1.2million pay cheque.
It's widely believed Channel 4 cannot begin airing its version of The Great British Bake Off until at least a year after the current series finale on the BBC , which will take place next month.
The latest update comes after reported the Beeb would be keen to keep Mel, Sue and Mary together on a new baking show.
The inside source said: “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.”
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