Mary Berry quits The Great British Bake Off as Paul Hollywood signs for Channel 4

Mary Berry has quit The Great British Bake Off - but Paul Hollywood has signed a three-year deal to remain on the show when it moves to Channel 4.

Copyright [BBC/Supplied by WENN]

The 81-year-old show judge decided to leave the baking programme out of “loyalty” to the BBC after it lost the rights to air the show from next year, with Channel 4 outbidding the corporation to sign a £75 million, three-year deal.

She said in a statement: “What a privilege and honour it has been to be part of 7 years of magic in a tent - The Great British Bake Off. The Bake Off family - Paul, Mel and Sue have given me so much joy and laughter.

Copyright [BBC/Supplied by WENN]

"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.

"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.”

Mary’s co-host Paul Hollywood has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Channel 4, and admitted he is “delighted” to be remaining on the show.

Copyright [BBC/Supplied by WENN]

He said in a statement: “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.

"The Great British 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 in the past few years and I just couldn’t turn my back on all that - the bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, and of course the tent, the bunting, and who could forget… the squirrels.

Copyright [BBC/Supplied by WENN]

"So I am delighted that 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 really rewarding.”

He was spotted heading into the Channel 4 offices yesterday.

This comes after the show’s co-hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc quit following the news it was moving to Channel 4.

They said: “We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was. The BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to nearly 15 at its peak.

Copyright [BBC/Supplied by WENN]

"We’ve had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps. We’re not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success.”

Bake Off fans were left stunned last week when the BBC confirmed it had lost the rights to air the show after the current series due to financial reasons.

Hours later, Channel 4 revealed they had put pen to paper on a deal for the programme with Love Productions - the company behind Bake Off - starting with a celeb special.