Prue Leith shares 'genuine sadness' as she struggles with Great British Bake Off decision

Wales Online

05-05-2025

Prue Leith shares 'genuine sadness' as she struggles with Great British Bake Off decision
Prue Leith, who is known for her role as a judge on the massively popular Channel 4 cookery show, opened up about a particular drawback that leaves her with a "genuine sadness"
Prue Leith spoke about what she described as the "competitive angle"
(Image: BBC )
Dame Prue Leith has expressed her feelings about the "genuine sadness" she encounters while dealing with one aspect of The Great British Bake Off.
During an interview, the South African-born restaurateur delved into the "competitive angle" of the much-loved Channel 4 series, where she features as a judge alongside Paul Hollywood.
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The show, currently hosted by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, has been a staple on our televisions for approximately 15 years since its debut in 2010 and quickly established itself as a national treasure.
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Yet, despite Bake Off's success, the esteemed 85-year-old food writer and novelist has conveyed that there is a poignant downside, suggesting that the show has a certain drawback that leaves Prue feeling "sad", despite making for "good television."
The 85-year-old suggested that the show has a certain drawback
(Image: Getty Images for The Cambridge Union )
Speaking to Luxury London in the previous year, Prue articulated: "The competitive angle makes the Bake Offs very different from most food shows. You get so fond of the bakers and then you have to kick one off.
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"It really is bittersweet. It makes for good television, but you do feel genuine sadness when you have to say goodbye to someone who is so delightful and has tried so hard."
Throughout the series, eager contestants vie for the prestigious title of Britain's best amateur baker. Over the span of 10 episodes, they are tested with various challenges.
Participants on the show confront tasks requiring an array of baking skills, from signature creations and technical precision to the grandeur of showstopping pieces, all to be scrutinised and judged by industry specialists, artisan baker Paul and Prue herself, a veteran in the culinary world.
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Prue recently shared a peculiar tale from her childhood, involving a health issue that led to a medical procedure at home due to a family dilemma.
Prue spoke about a "genuine sadness"
(Image: ITV )
The TV star revealed that she needed hospital treatment for an ear abscess as a child. However, her mother, Margaret, was pregnant with Prue's brother, James, at the time.
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Prue recounted on the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth that her mother feared the children would be separated if she went to the hospital while giving birth, so a doctor performed the operation at their house.
Speaking candidly, Prue admitted: "I'm rather ashamed of the fact that my first memory was when I was six years old. Most people can remember when they were two or four, but I can't."
She recalled the experience, saying she underwent the operation on the kitchen table while her mother was "giving birth to my younger brother" in another room.
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Prue further explained: "So she persuaded the doctor, in those days you could do things like this, persuade the doctor, to do the operation on our dining room table. And she had James in the bedroom."