There was an outcry from some viewers when it was announced the Great British Bake Off was moving from the BBC to Channel 4.

But as the semi-final of the show aired yesterday, earlier in the day the channel’s outgoing chief executive David Abraham was defending his £75 million acquisition.

It had not been snatched, he told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, but bought only after the production company had expressed unhappiness with the BBC.

With 10 million viewers (including catch-up watchers), it had proved the channel’s most popular programme since Big Brother at its peak and exceeded its financial targets, the Guardian reported.

Mr Abraham, who steps down this week, said: “It is a much-loved show, but like all shows, it needs to be kept fresh.”