Following the announcement of the new Great British Bake-Off line-up, original judge Paul Hollywood has shared his delight over the new signings. Appearing on Monday's Loose Women, the 51-year-old confessed he's looking forward to working with new judge Prue Leith. "I'm really excited to be honest," he said. "I'm really excited, I mean really excited. Obviously it's a big thing for the country, the Bake Off. When I heard the names read out, I was the same as everybody else, I was really excited."
Great British Bake-Off: new hosts and judge announced
Last week, Channel 4 confirmed food writer and novelist Prue will replace Mary Berry as judge and that Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding will complete the line-up after hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc chose to step down following the show's departure from the BBC. When asked if he's met his new on-screen partner, Paul replied: "I've got nothing but respect for Prue… We've actually met and had a chat, there's something there. In fact, she reminds me so much of my mother-in-law, in a fantastic way. I think we're going to get on like a house on fire."
© Photo: RexPaul Hollywood has given his verdict on the new Great British Bake-Off line-up
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The TV star also discussed Mel, Sue and Mary's reason for not joining the upcoming series. He explained: "They were loyal in their own little arenas of what they wanted to do. I was in a different stage of my career. And it's my job and I love doing the Bake Off. And when it moved channels, I'm with the production company, I don't work for a channel, I work for a production company and my job was always there and for me, I didn't want to lose it. They gave me a shot seven years ago and I grasped it with both hands, why would I want to let it go?"
© Photo: BBCPaul Hollywood is the only original member of the GBBO team returning for the new series
Prue Leith says she'd love to replace Mary Berry
Of whether he and Mary talked about his decision to stay with the show, Paul added: "We did talk during it and I've said before, Mary said 'If I was in your shoes I would have done exactly the same thing'. I'm at a different stage to Mary. I just couldn't let go of that job because they're just great people."
