Mary Berry lands judging role on US baking spin-off

Mary Berry will carry on the good name of the ‘Great British Bake Off’ when she stars as a judge on the US spin-off.

The TV cooking expert will appear on the programme’s US spin-off, ‘The Great American Baking Show’, on which 10 bakers battle it out over eight themed episodes featuring 24 challenges in a bid to be crowned the best baker.

Sound familiar?

My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s Nia Vardalos and husband Ian Gomez will host the series, which kicks off on ABC in the US on Thursday (01.12.16).

‘The Great American Baking Show’ is created by the same team behind Bake Off, Love Productions, who made a packet when they sold the rights to the BBC show to Channel 4.

Mary quit the programme “out of loyalty” to the BBC following the news and so did co-hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as they had no intention to “go with the dough”.

They said in a statement: “We were very shocked and saddened to learnyesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home. We madeno secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was.The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it itsdistinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of twomillion to nearly 15 million at its peak.We’ve had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing itrise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps.We’re not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.”

Channel 4 is thought to have splashed out around £75 million over three years for ‘Bake Off’, which sees Paul Hollywood return and will begin with a Stand Up To Cancer special next year.