Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has offered a remarkably candid glimpse into her domestic life with fashion designer husband John Playfair, sharing intimate details about their home and the secret she credits for her youthful energy. In a revealing interview, the 86-year-old television personality discussed everything from a curiously named "Red Room of Pain" to her personal health regimen.
A Peek Inside the Leith-Playfair Residence
Prue Leith, who recently announced her departure from The Great British Bake Off after joining in 2017, has penned a new book titled Being Old...and Learning to Love It! In it, she describes the unique features of the home she shares with John Playfair, her husband of ten years. The property boasts an "enormous copper slab" serving as a front door, which Playfair humorously refers to as the "cat-flap," alongside a white-walled atrium and a modern kitchen predominantly decorated in yellow tones.
The Infamous 'Red Room of Pain'
Perhaps the most intriguing revelation is the existence of a room that Leith calls the "Banishment Room," while her husband labels it the "Red Room of Pain." With a playful nod to her spouse, Leith clarified, "He should be so lucky!" In reality, this space is John's dressing room and bathroom, painted a deep maroon-red to complement his collection of Indian miniature paintings and furnished with a distinctive four-poster bed.
Leith expressed that having separate bathrooms and dressing rooms ranks as a dream luxury for her, second only to a well-stocked larder. The couple's home also includes a drawing room where their two Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Tattie and Teasel, lounge on sofas, and a green and blue bedroom where one wall is dedicated to Leith's collection of inexpensive necklaces.
Health and Lifestyle Choices
Upstairs, the residence features two bedrooms accessible by lift, though the couple prefers using the stairs for health benefits. Leith also opened up about her use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which she attributes to maintaining her vitality and youthful appearance. She admitted that a specific medication aids her "libido" and makes her feel "better and younger."
Leith explained, "I asked a doctor, 'What's normal?' She said there are no studies because it's just imagined people my age don't. I don't think I'd be active in every sense without hormone replacement therapy." Her regimen includes progesterone tablets, oestrogen patches, and "dabs" of testosterone gel, which she asserts is "great for libido." During her interview with Saga Magazine, Leith reportedly gave a "suggestive wink" and a "broad grin" when discussing this topic.
Looking Ahead
As Prue Leith prepares to step down from The Great British Bake Off, to be replaced by celebrity cook Nigella Lawson, she reflects on a life filled with culinary achievements, literary pursuits, and a happy marriage. Her insights into home life and personal health offer a refreshingly honest perspective on aging and relationships, reminding fans that vitality and humor can thrive at any age.
It is important to note that, like all medicines, the hormones used in HRT can cause side effects. The NHS provides comprehensive information on HRT, including its potential risks and benefits, for those seeking further details.
