GBBO's Nadiya Hussain teases judging job on Channel 4 version

The pair chose to quit the show after Love Productions announced a deal with Channel 4 over the BBC, and they released a joint statement afterwards explaining why.

The BBC recently announced it would be losing the show as it was unable to afford it, saying in a statement they were "a considerable distance apart on the money" with the show's producers.

A spokesman for the broadcaster - which will air the show from next year - said: "We would be delighted if the presenters and judges want to come to Channel 4".

For the time being, though, it also seems to have made viewers more invested than ever in watching the show on the BBC while they can.

For instance, TV Biz reports today that fans of Ainsley Harriott have started up a petition to persuade Love Production chiefs to hire the telly fave to take part in Bake Off on Channel 4.

"She's with Love Productions, who make the show, anyway and she made her last programme, Chronicles of Nadiya, with them".

It has been reported that Mel, 48, and Sue, 46, now take home more than £100,000 each per series, but insiders say the real reason for their departure was that they were kept in the dark over the new deal.

But after news of the show's move to Channel 4, Oliver became a frontrunner to replace Berry or Hollywood if they decide to quit.

After hitting the headlines this week, lovers of The Great British Bake Off were able to sit down and watch some baking, rather than worry for the show's future.

The show began on BBC Two in 2010 before moving over to BBC One in 2014.

The return of the show in August set an audience record, as 10.4 million people tuned in for the first episode of the seventh series.

This year's seventh series has become the most watched show of the year following a successful opening few weeks reaching peaks of nearly 15 million viewers.