Prue Leith reveals why she decided to quit The Great British Bake Off
She said of the role: “There cannot be a better job in the world."
It was announced earlier this month that Prue Leith would be leaving The Great British Bake Off, much to fans' dismay.
Prue had been a part of the baking show for nine years, joining the lineup as a judge alongside baker Paul Hollywood in 2017 when it made its move to Channel 4.
Now the 86-year-old has revealed why exactly she decided to step down from the role despite declaring "there cannot be a better job in the world".
Speaking to The Spectator, Dame Prue said: "I have been dithering for years about when to stop judging The Great British Bake Off.
"When I joined nine years ago, I thought, since I was in my mid-seventies, that I’d be lucky to manage two years.
"At that age, my mother was deaf as a post and away with the fairies, believing her son was her father and that her cat was the one she’d had 40 years before. But my marbles stayed more or less in place and there seemed no good reason to give up a job I loved."
Continuing, the restaurateur, writer and former judge added: "Finally, though, the desire to work less and play more got to me. Bake Off and its offshoots such as The Great American Baking Show and even the Christmas specials are all filmed in the summer, which has meant I could never have a summer holiday."
It has now been confirmed that iconic British chef Nigella Lawson will be filling the spot, a replacement that Leith is more than happy by.
"(Lawson is) also really nice, mighty glam and seriously bright, sexy and sassy.I’m just glad she wasn’t in the running nine years ago," she said.
The news comes after it was revealed by Channel 4 that the upcoming 17th series of The Great British Bake Off will see an exciting format change, introducing an 'Audience Choice week' where viewers can submit their own ideas for what the bakers should take on.
The Great British Bake Off returns later this year.
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Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
