Dame Prue Leith, the beloved judge of The Great British Bake Off, has revealed her decision to step down after nearly a decade on the show. At 86 years old, she expressed a heartfelt desire to spend more quality time with her husband, John Playfair, and embrace a slower pace of life.
In a candid interview on Holly Rubenstein’s The Travel Diaries podcast last year, Dame Prue reflected on her advancing age and the importance of cherishing the moments she has left with her partner. “I haven’t got much longer, I’m 85, I want to spend as much time as I can with him,” she shared. To accommodate this, she arranges for John to accompany her on work trips, emphasizing that while he isn’t officially her carer, his support is vital. She humorously noted her agent’s insistence that, due to her age, John must help carry her bags during travels.
Dame Prue spoke warmly about John’s humble nature, describing him as “totally without ego” and unbothered by her higher public profile. The couple married in 2016, following the passing of her first husband, Rayne Kruger. Prue is also a proud mother to two children from her previous marriage.
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Reflecting on her youthful appearance, Dame Prue attributed her vitality to good sleep, healthy eating, and happiness rather than any special regimen. Her illustrious culinary career began at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School and blossomed with the opening of her own restaurant, Leith’s, in London. Over the years, she has become a celebrated television personality and author.
Dame Prue joined The Great British Bake Off in 2017, succeeding Dame Mary Berry as a judge. Her departure was announced via Instagram this afternoon, following her absence from the 2024 celebrity edition of the show. Throughout her tenure, Prue worked alongside hosts Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond, and former presenters such as Sandi Toksvig and Matt Lucas.
Expressing her gratitude, she said, “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years… 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.” She also conveyed confidence in whoever will succeed her, hoping they will love the role as much as she did.
Channel 4’s chief content officer, Ian Katz, praised her lasting impact, saying, “She leaves an indelible mark on the show and all its bakers. We will miss her wry, gentle judgement but look forward to working with her on new projects.”