Great British Bake Off to leave BBC; two hosts quit

London

THE Great British Bake Off, a hit reality TV show that has been hailed as a cheery avatar of multicultural, biscuit-loving modern Britain, has been torn apart in recent days over a decision by producers to leave its longtime home at the BBC for a rival network, an announcement that surprised its hosts and prompted two of them to quit on Tuesday.

"We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home," two of its four hosts, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, said in a joint statement. "We're not going with the dough." Perkins and Giedroyc are both comedians who provide witty banter that is sprinkled throughout the show.