Sue Perkins has revealed that she initially turned down the opportunity to host The Great British Bake Off because she thought the show was 'about cakes' and would not succeed. The comedian, who presents the BBC Two baking competition alongside Mel Giedroyc, admitted she passed on the chance at first.
Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Perkins said: 'They said, "Would you do it?" and I said, "No, it's about cakes, don't be silly."' However, she later changed her mind and is now grateful she did, as the show has enjoyed tremendous success over the past four years and is set to move to BBC One.
Perkins described her role on the show as 'joyous' and called herself 'the luckiest person alive.' The programme has brought her worldwide recognition, with fans recognising her in unexpected places, including at the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, where a group of men shouted 'Bake' while she was filming.
Perkins also revealed that she and Mel have introduced judge Mary Berry to The Jeremy Kyle Show, which the 78-year-old TV chef loves. 'Mary loves Jeremy Kyle. She says, "This is extraordinary. Absolutely marvellous." Then after a while you go, "It is real." [Mary says] "Is it really?"' Perkins said.
