Channel 4 target Clare Balding and Davina McCall to replace Mel and Sue on Great British Bake Off?

Following the shock departure of hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, reports are swirling that the Great British Bake Off may have already found its new dream team ahead of its move to Channel 4. Clare Balding and Davina McCall are the latest presenters tipped for the coveted gig the Mirror Online reports.

It was announced on 12 September that the current series will be the last one shown on the BBC. After talks between the broadcaster and Love Productions broke down, the hit cooking show was poached by Channel 4 in a £25million-a-year three-year deal.

Hours later hosts Mel and Sue, who have welcomed Bake Off audiences since 2010, announced they will not be moving from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017. "We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home," they said in a statement. "We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was."

They added that they refused to take the "dough" and also reminded fans that "the BBC nurtured the show from its infancy and helped give it its distinctive warmth and charm, growing it from an audience of two million to nearly 15 at its peak."

According to the Mirror, McCall, who previously fronted Big Brother. The Jump and Million Pound Drop on Channel 4 is " at the top of bosses wishlist". Producers are also reportedly keen to sign up Balding, who is currently in Brazil presenting Channel Four's Paralympic coverage.

IBTimes UK has reached out to representatives for McCall and Balding for comment.

Meanwhile, it is not yet known if judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry will continue in their roles when the hit cooking show switches broadcaster. The 50-year-old told The Sun's TV Magazine: "It's not my call. I work for Love Productions. I work for the Bake Off. I'm just a judge." Berry, 81, earlier also told the newspaper: "I have no idea, anything that happens is nothing to do with my choice."

Bake Off saw a jump in ratings this week following the news of the move. An average of 10.3 million tuned into the fourth episode of the series, compared to 9.7 million the previous Wednesday.