Paul Hollywood: 'I had worse press than a serial killer over Great British Bake Off move'

The Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood said that he got more negative press than the Yorkshire Ripper when it emerged that he was to stay with the programme as it moves to Channel 4.

He said the reaction was "out of control" and it "hit him like an express train".

"I haven't murdered anyone. But I think the Yorkshire Ripper got less press than I did," he told The Times Magazine (£).

This year's October finale - that saw Candice Brown beat out rivals Jane Beedle and Andrew Smyth to claim victory - marked the last time the show was to air on the BBC before it moves to Channel 4 next year, bar a one-off Christmas special later this month.

Judge Mary Berry quit the show shortly after hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins announced they would not continue with the show.

It leaves Hollywood as the only original team member to move with the programme to the rival channel.

Hollywood told The Times Magazine (£) he was used to being the "villain" but was surprised at the vitriolic reaction his decision caused.

The 50-year-old said: "I will always be a villain. I was sort of expecting it. But when it hit me, it was like an express train."

But he seemed to suggest that his choice paid off financially, adding: "Would you work across the road? If you could double your wages, by going across the road to a rival, would you?"

October's final of The Great British Bake Off, the last time it will be aired on the BBC, attracted a record 14 million viewers.