Sir David Attenborough says BBC was ‘absolutely right’ to give up the Great British Bake Off

The BBC was outbid by £10 million per year by Channel 4 for the baking competition
New series: Sir David Attenborough is returning to the BBC with Planet Earth II
BBC/Sarah Dunn
Ben Travis1 November 2016

Sir David Attenborough has said the BBC was ‘absolutely right’ not to pay overboard to keep the Great British Bake Off.

The broadcaster lost the show to Channel 4 in September, confirming that Series 7 would be the last to air on the BBC.

Channel 4 are said to have bid £75 million to Love Productions for three years of the show, with the BBC only able to offer £15 million per year.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Attenborough said: “Oh, absolutely right! To say to them: ‘If you want another million, go ahead, we’ve got plenty more ideas where that came from’.”

Planet Earth II - in pictures

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Attenborough’s new documentary series Planet Earth II is debuting on the BBC on Sunday November 6, and is a follow-up to his ground-breaking wildlife series from 2006.

The show was shot in 40 countries across 117 filming trips, and features Attenborough on narration duties and a score from Hans Zimmer.

The Great British Bake Off recently completed its final series on the BBC, with Candice Brown taking the trophy at the end of Series 7.

The show will have two Christmas specials on the BBC before it moves to Channel 4 in 2017.

Paul Hollywood is set to continue his judging role on Channel 4, while Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are all remaining at the BBC – where they are rumoured to be launching a rival show with Nadiya Hussain.

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