Dame Prue Leith has revealed that Dame Mary Berry gave her a memorable four-word warning when she joined The Great British Bake Off alongside Paul Hollywood: “he doesn’t need you.” After nine years as a judge, Prue announced her departure from the beloved baking series, reflecting on this candid piece of advice.
Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood first teamed up in 2010 for the BBC’s innovative baking competition, The Great British Bake Off. Over six successful series, they evaluated contestants’ baked creations, captivating audiences across the UK. When the show transitioned from the BBC to Channel 4, Mary chose to leave the programme, prompting Prue to step into her role while Paul Hollywood remained as a judge.
In a recent interview on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, Prue recounted calling Mary to gain insight before taking on the role. “I’ve known Mary for many years. We’re not close friends but we like each other,” Prue said. “I rang her to ask about working with Paul Hollywood since she had eight years of experience with him and I wanted the honest truth.”
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Prue shared Mary’s mixed assessment: “Mary said, ‘He is so good and very knowledgeable about baking, a lovely guy, friendly and easy to work with.’ But she also warned, ‘He knows so much, he doesn’t need you at all. You have to hold your own and push yourself in because he’ll just do the show without you.’”
This blend of praise and caution underpinned Prue’s time on the show, where she balanced her expertise alongside Paul’s commanding presence. Her departure was confirmed on Instagram, coming after her absence from the 2024 celebrity series—where Lady Caroline Waldegrave stepped in as a judge.
Throughout her nine-year tenure, Prue has worked with hosts Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond, and former presenters Sandi Toksvig and Matt Lucas. She said, “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life. I’ve genuinely loved it and will miss working with Paul, Alison, Noel, and the teams. But at 86, it feels like the right time to step back and focus on other passions, like spending summers in my garden.”
Prue expressed confidence in the future of the show: “Whoever joins the team will love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz, praised her contributions: “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.”