Dame Prue Leith has revealed a heartfelt and candid decision to step away from The Great British Bake Off after nine memorable years as a judge. At 86, Prue described her choice as “selfish,” born from the recognition that she “doesn’t have much time left” and a desire to pursue experiences that matter most to her.
Sharing her thoughts on social media, Prue expressed her yearning to accomplish “so much more” and dedicate more time to enjoying life’s simple pleasures. In a recent interview, she reflected on the importance of savoring the present, explaining, “I want to live life to the full because I’m 85, of course I haven’t got much time left, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
She emphasized her wish to travel, spend quality moments with family—especially her grandchildren—and savor the warmth of summer in her garden. Prue is a proud mother of two and grandmother to five, and these personal connections have grown increasingly precious.
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For the first time in eight years, she took a summer holiday, visiting Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with her husband, describing it as the best holiday she’s ever had. This break had her temporarily step back from the celebrity version of Bake Off, where friend Lady Caroline Waldegrave kindly filled in.
Prue joined Bake Off in 2016 alongside Paul Hollywood and has since worked with hosts including Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond, Sandi Toksvig, and Matt Lucas. In her Instagram announcement, she thanked the show and her colleagues warmly:
“Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years. I have genuinely loved it and I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison, Noel, and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4. 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.”
Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz, praised Prue’s contribution: “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.”
Prue’s decision underscores a graceful and inspiring commitment to embracing life’s moments fully, reminding us all of the importance of prioritizing joy and connection.