Sir David Attenborough says BBC 'absolutely right' to let Bake Off go

Sir David Attenborough has said the BBC was "absolutely right" to let The Great British Bake Off go.

The BBC One baking show has been snapped up by rival broadcaster Channel 4 in a deal reportedly worth around £75 million.

When it emerged that the BBC had lost the rights to Bake Off, the corporation said it "made a very strong offer to keep the show but we are a considerable distance apart on the money".

Asked if they were right not to renew their deal with the production company, Love Productions, Sir David told the Radio Times: "Oh, absolutely right!

"To say to them, 'If you want another million, go ahead, we've got plenty more ideas where that came from'."

However, the broadcaster - a former BBC Two controller - admitted he did not agree with the BBC sacking former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

Clarkson was fired from the motoring show in March last year following a "fracas" with a producer, while his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond quit in solidarity.

Sir David said of that decision: "Well, yes, I regret letting Clarkson go, because it's very good to have a voice that's anti-establishment, or so profoundly anti-establishment."

Clarkson, May and Hammond will be reunited for a new motoring show, The Grand Tour, for Amazon Prime.

:: This week's Radio Times is on sale on Tuesday.