The Great British Take Off? BBC could lose baking show to rival

The BBC has lost its contract to broadcast The Great British Bake Off, according to reports.

The current series of the popular baking show will apparently be the last to air on the BBC after Love Productions, the company behind the baking programme, ended talks over renewing the contract.

It is rumoured the programme - with judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood - could now move to ITV, the BBC reported.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Love Productions sent an email to staff saying that they were unable to reach an agreement with the corporation after "more than a year of exhaustive negotiations".

Love Productions said in a statement: "After an extraordinary six-year journey with the BBC, Love Productions announces with regret that it has been unable to reach agreement on terms to renew the commission of The Great British Bake Off.

"We will now be focusing on finding a new partner to develop the familiar show that the British public turn to in their millions.

"Love Productions would like to thank the BBC for the role it played in making this show such an enormous hit, and the faith they showed in us over the years to develop it."