Sherlock's Steven Moffat says BBC was right not to reward greed over Bake Off dough

Following news that the Great British Bake Off will be moving to Channel 4 in the 2017, Sherlock creator Steven Moffat applauded the BBC decision "not to reward greed". The writer and producer weighed in on the controversy surrounding the popular cooking show at the 2016 Emmys on Sunday night (18 September), saying some things are more important than money.

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, the makers of the popular cookery programme, broke down. The hit show was poached by Channel 4 in a £25m ($33m)-a-year three-year deal.

As he collected his award for best television movie for Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, he addressed the furore. "Thank you to the BBC who we love above all bakery. British people will get that," he the star-studded audience.

Backstage, he revealed to the Press Association that he had rejected a number of lucrative bids from other broadcasters who wanted to take over the drama, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. "We have had offers, that's not what it's about. It should never be about that," he said.

The BBC is believed to have offered maker Love Productions £15m-a- year to retain the show, which Moffat thought was adequate. He said: "I think the BBC was quite right not to reward greed. It's wrong."

Hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, who have helmed GBBO 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."

It is not yet known if judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry will follow suit or continue in their roles when the hit cooking show switches broadcaster.