The Great British Bake Off could be “better” for its move from the BBC to Channel 4, Jamie Oliver has said.
The celebrity chef and campaigner – who burst on to television screens in 1999 with BBC series The Naked Chef – said the beloved programme was in safe hands at the broadcasting rival following a high-profile bidding war over the summer.
Oliver, who will return to Channel 4 on Monday night for a Dispatches investigation into childhood obesity, told the Press Association: “(Bake Off) had quite a few years and the question was, was it getting better or plateauing or getting worse? I can’t answer that.
“So I think there’s a lot of energy that could mean that it could kind of progress into something amazing. Channel 4 do have a perspective you know and a little bit of gravel in the mix could be quite interesting.
“I think it’s in the hands of (Channel 4 chief creative director) Jay Hunt and she’s a trusted person, she’s got a good head on her shoulders and she’s personally committed to it.
“So there is no reason, there is no reason, why it couldn’t be better. Wow, how about that. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be better.”
He added: “We do love the BBC, I love the BBC, I come from the BBC.
“I don’t have any kind of genius bit of secret information but I don’t see why it matters and actually the younger people they don’t really look at what channels they’re getting their content from. I think this institution that is the Bake Off, it could be amazing but it’s two years to wait so let’s see.”
Bake Off finished its seventh and final season on the BBC last week with PE teacher Candice Brown, 31, being crowned winner.
It marked the last time Mary Berry served as a judge and Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as hosts, before judge Paul Hollywood moves with the show to Channel 4.
Oliver previously pledged his support to Hollywood on Twitter, writing: “I know you and the team will do an amazing job.”
