Dame Prue Leith has announced she will be stepping down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off after almost ten years on the show. The 86-year-old joined the series in 2017, replacing Dame Mary Berry, and has appeared alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood ever since.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Dame Prue said that now feels like the right moment to step back. She added, “There’s so much I’d like to do,” including spending her summers enjoying her garden.
Channel 4 has not yet revealed who will take over her role, leaving fans curious about the future lineup. This announcement follows her departure from the celebrity edition of Bake Off in 2024, where she was succeeded by Lady Caroline Waldegrave.
Dame Prue became a part of Bake Off after the series moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2016. She stepped into the role previously held by Dame Mary Berry, who left along with presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz, praised Dame Prue as “a joyous presence in the tent, pairing absolute culinary authority with great generosity and empathy for the bakers.” He added, “We are grateful for her passion, wit, style, and all the summers she spent in the tent. She leaves an indelible mark on the show and its bakers. We will miss her gentle, insightful judgement but look forward to working with her on new projects.”
Former contestants also paid tribute to Dame Prue on social media. Jasmine Mitchell, the 2025 winner, wrote, “Prue, you’re amazing, and we will miss you so very much.” Dr Rahul Mandal, winner in 2018, added, “It was a joy and privilege to be in the tent with you. You are kind, funny, passionate, and always inspired us.”
