'I just couldn't walk away from my job!' Paul Hollywood opens up about friendship with Mary and Channel 4 move

Even though we're still completely obsessed with this year's series of The Great British Bake Off, it's bittersweet to know this will be the last Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood will be judging together.

After it was announced that GBBO will move to Channel 4, Paul revealed he'd be staying with the show while fellow judge Mary, along with presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, will remain with the BBC.

But it seems that despite the controversy over the move to Channel 4, Paul has said he will remain loyal to the show he loves.

Paul was at the BBC Good Food Show in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was giving demonstrations on his 'no-need' bread when he was questioned by fans about why he stayed with the show.

'What can I say? I'm still doing what I've always done,' he said.

'I think for me, when they picked me to do the job seven years ago, I was really shocked that I was given the chance to do this programme.

'To see it grow over the years. I just couldn't walk away from my job. I think it comes down to I love doing my job.

He continued: 'I love evangelising about baking and passing the word on and I will carry on doing that.'

As the current series will be the last one with both Mary and Paul judging, Paul assured fans that the split hasn't affected their relationship and they are still best of friends (phew!).

'I've known Mary for 12 years and I'll always be mates with her', he said.

'In fact, she phoned me up yesterday saying, "Where are you?" because normally I pop in to see her and I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks.'

While the Great British Bake Off propelled Mary and Paul to a new level of fame (Paul is expected to earn £1.1 million from the next series), he admitted Mary has barely changed since being on the show.

We're relieved to know they're still friends, even if they won't be judging together!