‘Really hurt’ Valerie Bertinelli axed from Food Network’s ‘Kids Baking Championship’ after 12 seasons — here’s why

Valerie Bertinelli has left the kitchen. The actress was in talks to continue working on “Kids Baking Championship” before she was ultimately let go on Friday.

Bertinelli, 63, cited “budget cuts” as the reason why she was axed from the program after 12 seasons.

“I’ve been avoiding facing what I got confirmation last night and I didn’t want to talk about it last night [because] I wanted to sleep on it because it really hurt my feelings,” she said via Instagram Story on Saturday. “I know it’s not supposed to. Logically, I know it’s business [and] budget cuts, right? But it really hurt my feelings to know that I’m not going to be asked back to be on ‘Kids Baking Championship’ really sucks.”

“Without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life,” Bertinelli said, adding that it was “like a floatation device” as she experienced an “apex year of hell” while going through her divorce from Tom Vitale.

“So it really hurts that I won’t be able to go back and see everybody and say, ‘Hey, I made it through.’”

She added: “Working with all those really wonderful people and feeling productive and knowing I could spread some kindness and not just wallow in my hell and just try to keep my head above water.”

Bertinelli was supposed to reunite with co-host Duff Goldman for the next season before she was dropped. She had hosted the series since its 2015 debut.

“Oh my God, these people work so hard to give you an amazing show,” she went on Saturday. “And all of those kids bakers that I got to watch grow up: I feel so lucky. And to all the bakers [who] are coming in for the new season, even though I won’t be there, I’ll be with you in spirit. I just want you to remember this: You are there for a reason [and] you’re some of the best bakers in America right now and if you don’t make it to the next round, please always remember [that] it’s not because you’re not a good baker, you just had a bad day.”

A source told People that Bertinelli’s contract ended. And although a new contract was “absolutely discussed,” the star’s team “decided they wanted more and talks stalled.”

A second insider claimed, however, that “her deal was up, and [Food Network] chose not to renew. They did not make a new offer, but Valerie very much wanted to continue.”

Last year, the “Hot in Cleveland” alum also announced the Food Network canceled her show “Valerie’s Home Cooking” after 14 seasons without an explanation.