Fans of The Great British Bake Off, known as The Great British Baking Show in the United States, were shocked when it was announced the judge Prue Leith would be stepping away from her role and would not return for the upcoming season. Now Leith is opening up about her decision.
The Michelin-starred chef appeared on The Shift with Same Baker, where she discussed her career and the reasoning behind her exit.
During the conversation, Leith was asked why now felt like the right time to step away. “I have been dithering for a couple of years now,” she explained.
Leith revealed that she had actually been considering leaving the Bake Off franchise for over two years. “I just thought, you know, I’d like to have more time off in the summer,” she said. “So, two years ago, I wrote to them just saying, “Look, I need more time off and I need I haven’t had a summer holiday for eight years or something. So, I really think I better if I stop.’
At the time, Leith was juggling multiple projects within the franchise, including The Great American Baking Show and The Great British Bake Off: Stand Up to Cancer.
However, producer offered her an alternative. ‘Why don’t you just give up one, preferably celebrity, because that would give you the middle of the summer off.’ So, I said, ‘Great!’
Leith admitted she hadn’t realized that compromise was even an option, “I was thrilled. that hadn’t occurred to me. I thought it was all or nothing.”
That’s exactly what she did, until a recent vacation shifted her perspective.
“I went to Madagascar. It was just so wonderful, it was a real proper holiday,” she said.
“There was no jet skis, no motorboats, no bars, no music. It was just peaceful and lovely. And I thought, I really need more of this,” she said.
The experience solidified her decision.
“I realized that if I went on I would be unlikely to get a holiday in Italy or in France or in Portugal or in Spain or all of these other wonderful locations.”
Thus she went ahead and informed production of her decision to step away from the franchise. “So I thought it is ridiculous. I should stop dithering and just do it, so I did.”
Ultimately, Leith said the transition has been a positive one. “Everything worked out for the best, “they were fine about it and they’ve got the wonderful Nigella so everyone is happy.”
As Parade previously reported, Nigella Lawson has been positioned to replace Leith in the upcoming season of Bake Off airing later this year.
The Great British Baking Show is streaming on Netflix.
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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