Dame Prue Leith has formally confirmed that she will be stepping away from The Great British Bake Off after nearly a decade as one of the show’s judges. The long-running Channel 4 series will continue into 2026, with Leith remaining part of the judging panel for the upcoming season before making her final appearance. The announcement was shared through a verified Instagram statement and later acknowledged by Channel 4, marking a carefully planned departure rather than a sudden exit.
Prue Leith Announces Planned Departure From The Great British Bake Off
Leith, who joined The Great British Bake Off in 2017 following the show’s move from the BBC to Channel 4, explained that she felt the timing was right to step back. She conveyed that after nine years on the program and more than 400 judged challenges, she wanted to redirect her time and energy toward other interests. According to her statement, she has greatly valued her experience on the show and her working relationships with fellow judge Paul Hollywood, current hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, and the production teams at Love Productions and Channel 4.
She also made clear that her decision was not abrupt. Leith confirmed she would complete the 2026 series before leaving, emphasizing that she preferred to exit on her own terms. Channel 4 has not yet announced who will succeed her on the judging panel, and no changes to the show’s broader format have been indicated.
Why Age and Filming Demands Led to Prue Leith’s Decision
The primary reason behind Leith’s departure is her age and the physical demands of the show’s filming schedule. At 86, she explained that committing to long summer shoots no longer aligns with how she wants to spend her time. She highlighted a desire for a slower pace, including spending summers at home and enjoying her garden, rather than adhering to the intensive production calendar required by the series.
This reasoning is consistent with her earlier decision to step down from Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer in 2024. At that time, she cited the strain of filming from April through August while balancing other professional commitments. She was subsequently replaced on the celebrity edition by Lady Caroline Waldegrave.
Beyond her personal statement, Channel 4’s chief content officer Ian Katz credited Leith’s tenure as influential and warmly received, noting her combination of culinary authority and empathy toward contestants. While her departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the show, Leith has expressed confidence in its future and gratitude for the role The Great British Bake Off has played in her career.
