- Dame Prue Leith, 86, has announced she is stepping down from The Great British Bake Off.
- She joined Channel 4’s tent in 2017, replacing Mary Berry and sitting alongside Paul Hollywood.
- Channel 4 has not yet named a successor; former contestants and the broadcaster paid tribute.
Prue Leith announces she will step back
Dame Prue Leith has confirmed she will leave The Great British Bake Off after almost a decade as a judge. The 86-year-old posted a statement on Instagram saying “now feels like the right time to step back”, adding: “There’s so much I’d like to do.”
From 2017 to the tent
Leith joined the show in 2017 when the series moved from the BBC to Channel 4, replacing Dame Mary Berry. She has appeared alongside judge Paul Hollywood and worked with presenters across eras, including Sandi Toksvig, Matt Lucas, and current hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
Channel 4 response and next steps
Channel 4 has not yet announced who will take over Leith’s role. Ian Katz, Channel 4’s chief content officer, praised her as “a joyous presence in the tent, pairing absolute culinary authority with great generosity and empathy for the bakers.” He said the broadcaster was grateful for her “passion, her wit, her ineffable style, and all the summers she spent in the tent.”
Leith’s own words
In her Instagram message, Leith said she had “genuinely loved” being part of Bake Off and expected to miss working with Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4. She added: “Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Tributes from former contestants
Former contestants responded with warm tributes. Jasmine Mitchell, who won Bake Off in 2025, wrote: “Prue, you’re amazing and we will miss you so very much.” Dr Rahul Mandal, the 2018 winner, added: “We will miss you so much. It was a joy and privilege to be in the tent with you. You are kind, funny passionate and always inspired us.”
Legacy in the tent
Leith first joined when the programme switched broadcasters and has remained a steady presence for nine years, bringing culinary expertise and an empathetic judging style. She previously stepped down from the celebrity version of Bake Off in 2024 and was replaced there by Lady Caroline Waldegrave.
As viewers await news of a successor, Channel 4 and the Bake Off production team have expressed thanks for Leith’s contribution. In her note, Leith said she plans to spend more time on personal projects — “not least spend summers enjoying my garden” — as she moves on from the tent.
Image Referance: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2j80g4vy3o