Paul Hollywood says he and Mary Berry will remain friends.

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood

Although Mary, 81, quit the 'Great British Bake Off' out of "loyalty" to the BBC after Channel 4 snatched the rights to the series, Paul - who will move to the new channel with the show - insists there is no ill-will between them.

MailOnline reports that Paul, 50, told fans and amateur chefs at a cookery event: "I've known Mary for 12 years and I'll always be mates with her.

"In fact, she phoned me up yesterday saying, 'Where are you?' because normally I pop in to see her and I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks.

"What can I say? I'm still doing what I've always done. I think for me, when they picked me to do the job seven years ago, I was really shocked that I was given the chance to do this programme.

"To see it grow over the years. I just couldn't walk away from my job. I think it comes down to I love doing my job. I love evangelising about baking and passing the word on and I will carry on doing that."

Mary's exit came as a huge shock to fans because it came just days after hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins decided to walk away from the series, but she's adamant she'll never forget the "marvellous time" she had on the show.

She previously explained: "Mel and Sue are brilliant and we had a marvellous time on the programme and that's how it will remain. You'll never hear people swear. It's a family programme. Mum, gran, everyone enjoys it and they all get down to baking afterwards. I'm proud of everyone. It gets 14 million [viewers] - more than the football!"

Tagged in