The BBC couldn't afford the 'Great British Bake Off' anymore.

The Great British Bake Off cast

The Great British Bake Off cast

The broadcaster's director of content Charlotte Moore has admitted she and her team were "incredibly sad" to lose the baking show to its rival Channel 4 but they had no choice but to let it go because they couldn't match or outbid their offer at the time.

Speaking at the Broadcast Commissioning Forum, she explained: "I can't pretend that wasn't a really upsetting moment. We made a really strong offer, but we don't have infinite resources. I can't just write a cheque for anything. I wouldn't be able to do [our] distinctive range of programming if we just paid a lot for one show."

Channel 4 are adamant the show, which they bought for an estimated £75 million in a three-year deal, will still be a success on their network as they've managed to bag the series' judge Paul Hollywood, but Charlotte isn't so convinced and thinks it'll crash and burn following the departure of Mary Berry and hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.

She said: "I know that chemistry is a very delicate, fragile and precious thing."

Mary, 81, announced she was turning her back on the programme out of "loyalty" to the BBC just three days after Mel and Sue pulled out for the same thing.

However, the 'GBBO' isn't the only show the BBC have lost over the past 12 months as they've also managed to let their singing show 'The Voice' slip through their fingers.

But, despite their sadness, Charlotte believes the gaps in their schedules have just created more space for bigger and better shows to step into their shoes.

She said with a smile: "With 'Great British Bake Off' and 'The Voice' going [to different channels], there's suddenly huge opportunity in entertainment. I'd love to find a big, new factual entertainment format to run in the middle of the week."

Tagged in