The announcement that The Great British Bake Off presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc are leaving the show as it moves from the BBC to Channel 4 has stirred up inevitable speculation over the new hosts.
Jo Brand – host of spin-off show An Extra Slice – is the odds-on favourite to front the next series of Bake Off at 6/1, according to bookmakers William Hill.
Other popular names in the mix include actress Jennifer Saunders with 8/1 odds, comedian Sarah Millican at 12/1 and comic Ed Byrne at 16/1 along with presenter Davina McCall.
The bookies are also offering odds on Mel and Sue changing their minds and presenting the next series, as well as odds on Bake Off returning to BBC One.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: “It is very early to be speculating on who will take over from Mel and Sue, especially given that they are only 5/1 to perform a U-turn and return next time out.
“But there will no doubt be a clamour from the nation’s top presenters to bag the hottest ticket in town.
“Channel 4 are buying a format but without the people who made it great it risks being little more than your average cooking shows.”
He added that he suspects “there is every chance it will return to the BBC next summer”, with 8/1 odds of Bake Off staying on the BBC in 2017.
The likes of TV presenters Omid Djalili, Emma Willis and Clare Balding have also had their names put forward by the bookmakers, as well as Helen Skelton, Alex Jones, Gino D’Acampo and Rhod Gilbert.
Mel and Sue confirmed they will not be fronting Bake Off when it moves to Channel 4 next year, saying in a statement they are “not going with the dough”.
They have presented the popular show since 2010, working alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.
They revealed they were “shocked and saddened” to learn of the Bake Off’s forthcoming move from the BBC in a joint statement.
