First came the revelation that the Great British Bake Off was leaving the BBC for Channel 4.

However, the news that presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc will not be going with it has been particularly hard to swallow for diehard fans – if the anguish vented on social media is anything to go by.

There was also dismay from former contestants and celebrities. Among them was Richard Burr, who took part in the 2014 series.

Another 2014 contestant, Martha Collison, described the duo as “irreplaceable”.

Jo Wheatley, the Bake Off champion in 2011, said she was “really hoping this isn’t true” and that “Mel and Sue are as big a part of GBBO as Mary [Berry] and Paul [Hollywood]”.

John Whaite, the winner of the show in 2012, was initially eager to dampen down the gloom.

But news of the departure of Giedroyc and Perkins caused a change in his mood.

“Mel and Sue jump ship. Very sad news,” he tweeted. “They’re wonderful girls who made the show what it is. Now, I’m not feeling so hopeful ...”

Perkins and Giedroyc confirmed they would not be fronting Bake Off when it moves to Channel 4 next year, saying in a statement they were “not going with the dough”.

They have presented the popular show since 2010 and said they were “shocked and saddened” to learn of the Bake Off’s forthcoming move from the BBC.

Amid the inevitable speculation over who will be the new hosts, the odds-on favourite to front the new series is Jo Brand – presenter of spin-off show An Extra Slice. The bookmaker William Hill was offering odds of 6/1.

Other popular names in the mix include the actor Jennifer Saunders with 8/1 odds, the comedian Sarah Millican at 12/1 and the comic Ed Byrne at 16/1.