Who Bake Off viewers think should replace Mary Berry and Mel and Sue

YouGov
September 22, 2016, 3:57 PM GMT+0

Following Mary Berry's decision to leave the Great British Bake Off, new analysis of YouGov Profiles data reveals viewers’ preferred replacement judges.

When looking at the TV chefs that Bake Off viewers are particularly fond of when compared to the national average, the most favoured cooks are former ‘Saturday Kitchen’ host James Martin, Nigella Lawson and TV cooking trailblazer Delia Smith.

Berry's departure follows those of the show's presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. YouGov Profiles data suggests that Bake Off viewers' preferred comedians that could take over as the show's hosts are Eddie Izzard, closely followed by Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French. They are followed by Michael McIntyre, Peter Kay and Dara O’Briain.


However with several of those names having strong links with the BBC, a move to Channel 4 may be problematic.

While those who make the show have pledged not to tweak the format too much, bringing in new people to front a popular programme is always a big challenge – just ask the BBC and Chris Evans.

The challenge for Channel 4 is to attract presenters and judges that will fit in seamlessly with the show, whilst appealing to its large audience. This analysis of our data shows who Bake Off viewers already warm to, and suggests that giving them what they want might make the transition to a new home a little easier.

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