Mary Berry cooking up new role on BBC's Great British Bake Off rival while Channel 4 'eye up Geri Halliwell'

After the Great British Bake Off was sold to Channel 4 for €25m after six years at the BBC, just one presenter has agreed to jump ship to the rival network.

Judge Mary Berry and hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc announced their departure after the sale last week, but no time is being wasted as the trio are reportedly in talks about fronting a GBBO rival programme, capitalising on their combined widespread popularity among viewers.

BBC's Director of Content Charlotte Moore said there are hopes to “cook up more unmissable shows with [Berry] in the future”, according to the Telegraph.

Berry has reportedly been told by the network that she will be billed as the BBC's top television chef until she chooses to leave. In her statement detailing why decided to leave the show's new home, she said the reason behind her decision was "out of loyalty to them, as they have nurtured me, and the show, that was a unique and brilliant format from day one."

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Meanwhile, show bosses are trying to find the right replacement for the only original host - Paul Hollywood, who has moved to C4 and reportedly turned down a hosting role on Top Gear in the process.

He signed a €1m deal with the network, in comparison to his €86,000 per season salary at the BBC.

Former Spice Girl Geri, who previously won the celebrity version of GBBO for charity, is said to be a "curveball" choice for producers.

"She has always been a huge supporter of Bake Off but bosses face a tough ask to get her on board," a source told The Sun.

"But it's the only show that might tempt her to host."