Paul Hollywood is staying on 'Bake Off' and everyone is making the same joke
LONDON -- In times of increasing turmoil, fans of the original Great British Bake Offformat have one thing to hold on to: although the show is moving channels, and Mel and Sue are leaving, and now Mary Berryis leaving, Paul Hollywood -- owner of the world's most piercing blue eyes -- isn't going anywhere.
SEE ALSO:Even Prince William has weighed in on the 'Great British Bake Off' crisisFollowing the statement made by Berry on Thursday morning, the news that Hollywood had signed a three-year deal with Channel 4 -- and will be the sole member of the original squad staying on the show -- spread quickly online.
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Hollywood also issued a longer statement explaining why he wanted to stay with the show.
"Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life. The seven series inside the tent have created some great memories. Best of all, I have felt so pleased to experience other people getting the baking bug, just as I did when my dad helped me make my first loaf.
"The Great British Bake Offhas brought baking to the nation and we've seen people from all walks of life and backgrounds experience the highs and lows of competition, and more importantly helping each other.
"It's been a huge part of my life in the past few years and I just couldn't turn my back on all that - the bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, and of course the tent, the bunting, and who could forget… the squirrels.
"So I am delighted that I will be continuing as a judge when Bake Offmoves to Channel 4. I want to thank the BBC and Mel and Sue for making my time in the tent great fun and really rewarding."
Twitter, meanwhile, had other ideas.
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It wasn't long before #PaulHollywood was trending, and plenty of people were making the same joke.
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Former contestant Ugne Bubnaityte also sent the following tweet after the news broke.
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And another former contestant weighed in.
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Despite the criticism, though, there were just as many people who came to Hollywood's defence.
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Mary Berry may be gone, and Mel and Sue may be gone, but Paul Hollywood remains.
The Great British Bake Offis not done yet.