Bake Off's Prue Leith Acknowledges Challenges in Judging the Show and States, 'I'll Have to Leave Eventually'

Dame Prue Leith has let it slip that her schedule for the delightful romp known as The Great British Bake Off has been, well, shall we say, "slimmed down." Now, at the sprightly age of 84, she’s had to face the facts of aging with the gallantry of a true culinary knight. Since 2017, she’s been whipping up witty judgments alongside the ever-charming Paul Hollywood on Channel 4’s baking extravaganza. And while she’s not packing her bags just yet, she knows the day will come when she’ll have to hang up her judge's apron for good.

In an utterly delightful chat with Best magazine, she candidly remarked, “I’ll have to go at some point,” as if planning an exit strategy from a particularly demanding bake sale. This year, the producers have made adjustments to her schedule—because really, who can handle all that icing and fondant without a little help? Prue admitted, “This year has been easier, because they’ve slimmed down my schedule; I was finding it hard to manage everything, so I’ve dropped the celebrity version and that’s made such a difference.” Oh, the liberating power of saying no! It’s a lesson we all could use now and again, especially when faced with an intimidating amount of frosting.

While retirement doesn't seem to be on the immediate horizon, our beloved dame has developed a newfound admiration for the art of the afternoon nap. When asked about her plans for cutting ties with the tent, she cheerfully chirped, “Not yet. One of the things I learned in lockdown is how good a siesta is.” What a revelation! Who knew that snoozing could be such a splendid form of self-care? “Now I say to everybody, ‘Can you build it into my schedule please?’ It helps,” she quipped, probably with a mischievous glint in her eye.

As the show, hosted by the ever-enigmatic Alison Hammond and the delightful Noel Fielding, was filmed over the summer, Dame Prue admitted she’s now blissfully oblivious to most of it. “I’ve forgotten most of it,” she confessed, a statement that perfectly encapsulates the simultaneous chaos and charm of reality television. And, of course, the eternal dilemma of predicting the winner. “I always think I know, and I’m always wrong!” she laughed, revealing that forecasting the outcome of the competition is as tricky as getting a soufflé to rise.

In a recent episode that had us all on the edge of our seats, viewers witnessed a contestant spill over with emotion after a bake went tragically awry. John, a contestant who has dazzled both the judges and audiences before, found himself in tears as he struggled during bread week. Achieving a Hollywood handshake is no small feat, particularly when it involves the elusive bread bake; however, things took a disastrous turn for poor John during his Showstopper. As his bagels stubbornly refused to rise, John succumbed to the weight of his despair, leaving the tent in a dramatic exit—head held high, tears streaming down.

Alison, ever the beacon of empathy, swooped in to comfort him, sharing a story from her time on Strictly Come Dancing as if to say, “Don’t worry, darling, it could always be worse!” such wisdom sewn with humor always seems to mend broken spirits.

And so, as The Great British Bake Off continues its weekly journey through the land of flour and frosting every Tuesday at 8 pm on Channel 4, we are reminded that baking is not just about the cakes and pastries—but rather, the priceless moments spent in the company of delightful characters experiencing the sweet highs and sticky lows of life.