Have you no idea how commercial TV works...especially C4 and C5!

I do know how C4 works (C5 is irrelevant).

Which means I know that not every programme the show is made to the same basic format.

Unless you're really trying to argue that a programme like Countdown has all those features you mentioned?

hilarious .
u say things that I wouldn't dare to. its like we all have a bit of evil in us and aren't totally sweet.

You just say all the evil and us that can't dare to will be polite and mention the tough time pressure she was under despite knowing how to bake that bakewell tart she panicked and removed it early to allow herself enough time to ice it, knowing perhaps she's slower then the others she wanted to allow herself enough time, its tough, (that's the understanding polite line I will take).

Not to mention the product placement opportunities.

Also nothing about better opportunities or resources on the new programme as you often see claimed. I suppose Channel 4 could throw money at the programme and fly the contestants out to different locations like Masterchef does and bake exotic bakes in exotic locations. Don't think it would improve the programme but would make it flashier.

I say thank God for that. There's enough zelebrities in this world as it is, no need to add more wannabes from GBBO to the running total. For me it's enough if I get to watch a nice programme and I don't mind if the contestants get back to their homes and their jobs after it is over never to be seen again.

BTW there's too many disasters or just incompetence this year. I wonder if they thought we would find it more dramatic and on purpose did not choose the best bakers or if it is just bad luck.

Shame Hollywood has decided to follow the money- I thought he would but I hoped he wouldn't...

I'm struggling to understand the love in for Candice. Can someone explain?

Candice was a bit unbearable this week. She was a bit like a petulant child?

Viewers should get a life, go out for a walk or something. It's a TV show that changes a channel, it will either succeed or fail. Hollywood thinks it will succeed and would rather continue doing that than starting with something completely new.

I meant as someone who stands out as being memorable on the show, not necessarily to use it to go on to fame and fortune, although in Nadiya's case, it has worked out in that way for her.

I've also had enough of those who show up to the opening of an envelope or are famous for booger all. I've got a suspicion that if Candice hadn't landed a gig on GBBO then maybe Sewing Bee would have been on her to do list. She strikes me as someone who is looking for the vehicle to fame & fortune and doesn't mind if Bake Off is how she gets it. Not necessarily a bad thing but I like the bakers (and sewers) who want to take part for the fun of it, the enjoyment and maybe win a star baker or two before they are dumped off.

Probably he didn't know exactly when Mary would make her decision public. If he'd said "he would miss Mary" in his own statement, then he risked revealing Mary's decision before she had announced it herself.

I think you're correct. He's subsequently put out a second statement specifically about Mary, so probably just a timing issue. Does make you wonder though if Mary knew what Paul had decided and when he was going to announce it and decided to do bit of a spoiler job...

Quite attractive (subjective), makes rude jokes (again, Subjectively fun or.. not fun), can bake quite well, seems to take criticism a bit to heart. So some people are going to like her some aren't. To be fair, she's reacted very well to some of the nasty stuff she's getting on social media, which rather suggests she actually doesn't care much whether she's popular with the general public either way.

Yep, there aren't that many good bakers this year, compared to previous seasons.

Sorry to see Val go, I thought she was lovely. Sadly, she was never going to win, was she. She took the result very well last night I thought, and everyone seemed to like her.

I know a lot of people love her on here but, I am not mad about Candice, there is something about her that I cannot put my finger on. I feel that Candice is being set up to be the winner this season as the camera seems more focused on her, compared to the others, and she seems to be putting on an act.

Yes, as some have mentioned previously she can bake but It's obvious, she is only there because she wants to have a chance at being famous.

The GBBO will never be the same.
I will miss Mel and Sue and of course, Mary Berry and her soggy bottoms

Fair play to Mary for sticking to her guns and leaving, she is a class act.

Not sure how long you've been watching but in series 4 there was a very similar scenario with Ruby - ie the tears, the "Gosh is it that good" things, Paul flirting (a bit...) and so on, and she got to the final but didn't win.

Must admit, right from the first week I've seen Candice as the new Ruby.

Sadly, with Bake Off channel-4 bound, I can see more Candice's and less Jane's and Val's in the future...

I have seen the earlier seasons but sadly I missed the season when Ruby was on it. I have since read about her online, and she comes across as another actress as well. So, I know what you mean.

I agree with you about the future of this show, I think it will be ruined when it moves to Channel 4.

I'm so proud of Mary. Well done her.

She's also a shrewd woman who has reinvented herself and kept herself relevant and influential for over fifty years.
She knows when something has reached its high point and when it's right to move on.

There is now no way I shall watch the C4 version. Hollywood is a d1ckhead of finest order and I can barely stomach the oily ego-pumped git on the programme now. Mel & Sue, Mary and the contestants are the stars for me.

Bit extreme to hate him for doing what 99% of us would do. I'll miss the old format but will still watch it to see what it's like. Mel and Sue should have gone too. They have a few failed shows under their belts so not as wonderful as people make out. Whatever they do now will be compared to GBBO so they should have just got on with what they are loved for. Mary seems pleasant enough but at 81 she knows it's time to put her feet up and let someone else take over.

Maybe they'll have guest judges each week. We'll have to wait and see. I'm just disappointed it won't be on next year.

I saw some recent pics of the Abergavenny food fest and they were of various bakers from previous series (some doing master classes) AND Candice! I was wondering if this meant she was the winner this series or the person anyway who will be making a name for themselves ... or trying to or wanting to!?

Like you I am content to watch the show when it goes to C4, if I find it is crap I won't watch it but, shock horror, who knows it could be good.

The legal stuff prevents C4 from having a competitive version next year but I think a celebrity version in support of Stand Up for Cancer in envisaged?

First of all, last night's episode:
Val was definitely the right choice to leave, though I think if she'd read all the recipe for the bakewell tart and made it as they wanted instead of rushing ahead with her own recipe she might have been ok. Candice deserved star baker but I still can't take to her (can't take to Selasi either for some reason). My favourites are Rav, Jane, Andrew and Tom.
It was funny (and sad) when Mel took a pile of the savouries and Mary called her on it.
And I now have a craving for Bakewell tart!

And the news:
I don't think it'll be Bake Off without Mary. Paul is fine, but imo he needs Mary, Mel and Sue to laugh off his grumpiness. The American version didn't work with him and no Mary, Mel or Sue so Chaneel 4 are going to need some good presenters and I can't really think who could replace Mary. I do think it was crazy of Channel 4 to pay so much for a format and a name without securing at the very least both Mary and Paul. Hopefully the BBC are planning a nice calm family friendly cooking show with Mary, Mel and Sue.

Paul will need a strong character (fellow judge) to balance with him. By strong I don't necessarily mean loud because Mary is a strong character in a "less is more" kind of way. I don't blame Paul for following the franchise as he is probably the one who needs it most. The new host(s) need to be able to peg Paul down too not simper and fawn.