David Attenborough has said he was disappointed that the BBC let Jeremy Clarkson go but supported the UK broadcaster's decision to avoid paying more to keep The Great British Bake Off.
Clarkson was sacked by the BBC following an altercation with a Top Gear producer while filming on location last year. His departure was followed by fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
The three petrol heads are now working on a new motor-related series of shows, called The Grand Tour, for UK streaming service Amazon Video.
"I regret letting Clarkson go, because it's very good to have a voice that's anti-establishment, or so profoundly anti-establishment," Attenborough told Radio Times.
Much more to the veteran broadcaster's liking was the decision to let The Great British Bake Off go to Channel 4. Beginning in 2017, the new three-year deal is said to be worth in the region of €25-30 million a year.
The BBC was reported to have offered £15 million (around €16 - 17M) per year to keep The Great British Bake Off on BBC One, but Love Productions, the company behind the show, wanted more.
Attenborough insists that the BBC was right not to meet their demands. "Oh, absolutely right!" he said.
"To say to them, 'If you want another million, go ahead. We've got plenty more ideas where that came from'."
Presenters Mel and Sue both quit The Great British Bake Off less than 24 hours after it was announced that the hugely popular series would be leaving the BBC.
A week later, judge Mary Berry said she would be stepping down, but fellow judge Paul Hollywood stated that he would be staying with the show when it moves to Channel 4.
