After nearly a decade of judging soggy bottoms and showstoppers, Prue Leith has announced she is stepping down from The Great British Bake Off, bringing an era of the beloved Channel 4 show to a close.
The much-loved TV chef confirmed she will leave the famous white tent after nine years on the judging panel, admitting the decision came from a simple — and deeply personal — place: it finally felt like the right time.
Prue, who joined the show in 2017 following the departure of Mary Berry, revealed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, reflecting on what she described as one of the most joyful chapters of her career.
“After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down,” she wrote. “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life, and I’ve genuinely loved every moment of it.”
Now approaching her 86th birthday, Prue explained that while her love for the show has never faded, her priorities have gently shifted.
The show, hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, saw Prue join Paul Hollywood in judging contestants’ bakes
Prue recently declared she’s not too old to have ‘romance, love and sex’ and reveals why she ditched exercise as she opened up on her age
Prue also recently opened up on the huge mistake she made with Mounjaro jabs that left her ‘starving, feeling awful and sleeping all day’ after a weight loss attempt went wrong
“There’s so much I’d still like to do,” she added — “not least spending my summers enjoying my garden.”
Her departure means saying goodbye to long-time co-judge Paul Hollywood, as well as presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, after appearing in the most recent series which aired last autumn.
Producers at Love Productions paid tribute to Prue’s unmistakable presence in the tent, praising her culinary authority, warmth and mischievous humour — qualities that made her a firm favourite with both bakers and viewers at home.
Channel 4 also hailed her as “a joyous presence”, noting that she leaves behind an indelible mark on the show and promising audiences that her legacy will endure long after her final judging moment.
While Prue is stepping away from Bake Off, she has made it clear this is not a goodbye to television — nor to life’s pleasures.
In recent months, she has spoken candidly about ageing, insisting she is “not too old for romance, love or sex,” and has shared her refreshingly honest views on everything from exercise to body image in her latest book.
Bake Off last aired in November, with student Jasmine Mitchell crowned the winner, and is expected to return later this year — though viewers will be watching closely to see who dares to fill Prue’s place at the judging table.
One thing, however, is certain: for millions of fans, the tent won’t feel quite the same without her.
