Dame Prue Leith has confirmed she will be stepping down from her role as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, marking the end of an era after nearly a decade on the beloved Channel 4 programme. The announcement comes shortly after the 86-year-old culinary icon made a poignant admission about her future plans and priorities.
A Heartfelt Admission About Time and Priorities
During a recent appearance on Holly Rubenstein's The Travel Diaries podcast, Dame Prue offered a candid glimpse into her personal reflections. "I haven't got much longer, I'm 85, I want to spend as much time as I can with him," she revealed, referring to her husband John Playfair. This heartfelt statement preceded her formal announcement about leaving the baking competition series.
The celebrated baker explained how this desire to maximise time with her spouse has influenced her professional arrangements. She now requests that John accompanies her on work trips, a practical solution that blends personal and professional life. While she emphasises that he is not her "carer," she humorously acknowledges the arrangement is "pretty close" to that.
Travel Companions and Modest Partnerships
Dame Prue spoke affectionately about her husband's character during the podcast interview, highlighting his complete lack of ego. "One of the wonderful things about him is that he is totally without ego," she told listeners. "He doesn't feel threatened by the fact that I have a higher profile than he does. When I introduce him to people, he always just says 'I'm the handbag carrier, I'm her chauffeur.'"
The couple married in 2016, following the passing of Dame Prue's first husband, Rayne Kruger, in 2002. Together with Kruger, she had two children: Li-Da Kruger, adopted from Cambodia, and Danny Kruger.
The Official Bake Off Departure Announcement
In a statement shared on Instagram, Dame Prue formally announced her departure from The Great British Bake Off. "Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years," she wrote. "I have genuinely loved it and I'm sure I'll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4."
She continued with characteristic warmth and practicality: "But now feels like the right time to step back (I'm 86 for goodness sake!). There's so much I'd like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden." The television personality concluded by extending good wishes to her eventual replacement, stating: "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 Channel 4 and Production Team
Channel 4's chief content officer Ian Katz paid tribute to Dame Prue's contribution to the programme. "She leaves an indelible mark on the show and all its bakers," he remarked. "We will miss her wry, gentle judgement but look forward to working with her on new projects."
During her tenure on the show, Dame Prue has worked alongside current presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, as well as previous hosts Sandi Toksvig and Matt Lucas. She joined the programme in 2017, taking over from fellow culinary legend Dame Mary Berry, and has since become a cherished fixture in British television culture.
A Distinguished Culinary Career
Dame Prue's remarkable career in food began at age 20 when she enrolled at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School. By 29, she had launched her first major venture into the hospitality sector, establishing Leith's restaurant in London's Notting Hill district.
Her professional journey has transformed her into both a beloved television personality and an accomplished author of numerous cookery books. Beyond her television work, she has maintained a visible public profile, recently discussing her approach to maintaining vitality at 85. "If I look good or at least younger than I am," she disclosed, "then it's got to be at least because I sleep well and I eat well, and I am happy. When you're unhappy, you don't eat well."
Her departure from The Great British Bake Off follows her absence from the 2024 celebrity edition, during which close friend Lady Caroline Waldegrave judged alongside Paul Hollywood. As the search begins for her replacement, viewers and colleagues alike will remember Dame Prue's distinctive combination of expertise, warmth, and gentle humour that has characterised her nine-year tenure on this British television institution.
