Prue Leith leaves The Great British Bake Off after nine years, as co-stars and bakers pay tribute to judge
Past bakers including 2025 winner Jasmine Mitchell have paid tribute to Prue Leith who has announced she is leaving Bake Off.
After almost a decade, Dame Prue Leith is stepping down as a judge The Great British Bake Off.
Dame Prue joined Paul Hollywood as a judge on the reality baking competition in 2017, when the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4. The 86-year-old worked alongside current Bake Off presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, as well as previous hosts Sandi Toksvig and Matt Lucas.
Sharing the news in a statement on social media, Dame Prue said she “genuinely loved” her time on Bake Off.
She wrote: “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 and 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.
“Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Dame Prue, who judged more than 400 challenges during her time in the Bake Off tent, had already stepped back from the celebrity edition of Bake Off in 2025, where she was replaced by Lady Caroline Waldegrave.
Channel 4 have yet to announce who will replace Dame Prue as a judge.
Bake Off co-stars and contestants pay tribute to Dame Prue
Following the news, Hollywood wrote on social media: “You’re the best Prue! ❤️”
Meanwhile, Fielding shared several pictures of their time on the show together - including an image where he is dressed as the judge - as well as a sweet anecdote.
Thanking her for ten years on the show, the comedian and host described her as a “a force of nature and an inspiration to the world”. He added: “We will miss your energy and charisma in the tent”.
Sharing the announcement on her Instagram story, Hammond wrote: “We will miss you so much Prue ❤️”
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Also paying tribute to the Bake Off judge were past contestants, including 2025 winner Jasmine Mitchell.
The Scottish baker said it was “absolute joy and privilege” to have been judged by Dame Prue during her final year in the Bake Off tent.
Peter Sawkins, another previous Scottish winner, commented: “You will be so missed Prue. I will always be honoured to have baked for you! We love you 🥰”
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