Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins admit quitting Great British Bake Off was a ‘painful’ decision

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have admitted the decision to quit The Great British Bake Off was a ‘painful’ one after the show moved to Channel 4.

The duo hosted the show on the BBC from 2010 to 2016, with Sue revealing they found out about the Channel 4 move from the TV.  

Speaking to the Radio Times, Sue told how the pair felt they couldn’t continue on with the show after its move.  

She said: ‘It was painful, and we’ve kept our counsel as to the whys and wherefores, and I think there is dignity in that. It’s a show about cakes and the moment you get tied up in intense feelings you tell yourself to stop being silly. 

‘We wish it the best and in return we just wanted them to understand that it would have been hard for us to carry on in those circumstances. There’s no antagonism there. I just think, “If you’re going to let us find out that way [from TV], then we’re not really a team, are we?”

Mel added that she felt the pair made the right decision to leave when they did and she doesn’t mind that the show carried on without them.  

She said: ‘It was hard, but it was the right time. I think it’s good to leave the party before the sandwiches start to turn up at the corners. I have no problem at all with the fact that the show still goes on.’

 Hosts: The duo hosted the show on the BBC from 2010 to 2016, with Sue revealing they found out about the Channel 4 move from the TV

Read all about it: The full interview is available in the latest edition of Radio Times, out now  

Former judge Mary Berry quickly departed the series after Mel and Sue while Paul Hollywood remained and was joined by Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toskvig.

Mel and Sue also admitted they almost quit the show on day one of the very first series and had ‘quite frank’ discussions with the producers over the tone of the series.

The pair said the contestants had cameras shoved in their faces and were made to cry, so they made sure the show would have a ‘kind’ tone. 

Previously sharing an insight into the moment the duo decided to walk away, Mel has told the Press Association it took about ‘three seconds’ for herself and Sue to make up their minds about their Bake Off future.

Sue said: ‘I just think, ‘If you’re going to let us find out that way [from TV], then we’re not really a team, are we?’ (pictured with Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry in 2016) 

‘I think there was no question where we were heading, but I miss the gang… we were like a big family.

‘All the camera guys, the sound guys, home economists behind the scenes, so knowing a lot of them are there filming as we speak, it feels kind of strange,’ she confessed.

Show judge Mary Berry, 82, had followed suit and her exit from The Great British Bake Off was announced shortly after Mel and Sue’s.  

Honest: Mel added that she felt the pair made the right decision to leave when they did and she doesn’t mind that the show carried on without them (pictured in 2013) 

Meanwhile, Matt Lucas has been announced as the new host of the Bake Off after Sandi’s exit.

The Little Britain star, 46, will take over the role and co-present alongside Noel Fielding in the tent.

Sandi, 61, revealed in January that she was leaving the baking show to focus on other projects after three years as a host.    

The new issue of Radio Times is on sale now. 

Early days: Mel and Sue also admitted they almost quit the show on day one of the very first series and had ‘quite frank’ discussions with the producers over the tone of the series