.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26height%3D800%26crop%3D1200%3A800&w=3840&q=100)
Dame Prue Leith says she ‘hasn't got much longer' to spend with her husband
Dame Prue Leith has said she 'does not have much longer' as she is in her mid-eighties.
Last year, The Great British Bake Off judge announced that she was taking a break from the celebrity edition of the show after realising that the filming schedule had become too intense.
In March, Leith also revealed that she was struggling to hear and that she has started to use hearing aids.
Speaking to Holly Rubenstein on The Travel Diaries podcast, the 85-year-old restaurateur said: 'I haven't got much longer. I'm 85 and I want to spend as much time as I can with him.'
She was speaking about her husband John Playfair, whom she married in 2016.
'So, if we are filming abroad, or like next week, we're going to New York, because I've got to publicise the American baking show, then I'm now old enough for my agent to say 'I'm sorry, but she has to ring her husband, because she's 85, she needs someone to carry the bags,'' said Leith. 'She doesn't quite say, 'She needs a carer' but it's pretty close.'
Leith has been part of The Great British Bake Off since its move from BBC to Channel 4 in 2017, replacing the expert role formerly held by Mary Berry.
Announcing her hiatus from the celebrity series in September last year, Leith told The Mirror: 'I was in a new house and I hardly saw the garden, I hardly saw my family and I never had a summer holiday.'
In order to stop Leith from quitting, Bake Off producers agreed to change the star's filming schedule so she could have more time off.
'So, I got what I wanted, which is to do less,' she said. 'I'm so grateful to Love Productions because they've been very accommodating.'
It was announced that Leith would not take part in a future celebrity edition of the programme, raising money for cancer charities.
In a comment made to The Independent, the judge said: 'I absolutely love working on Bake Off and am looking forward to filming the next series and meeting our new bakers.
'I am only stepping back from the Celebrity series, which is just a question of the filming commitment involved as we make these shows back-to-back.'
Leith firmly shut down rumours that she was quitting the series, stating: 'It's absolutely not true at all! What I'm not doing this year is the celebrity one.
'I absolutely love working on Bake Off and am looking forward to filming the next series and meeting our new bakers.'
'I am only stepping back from the celebrity series, which is just a question of the filming commitment involved as we make these shows back-to-back,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Liam Neeson remembers ‘brilliant' Barbara Taylor Bradford in memorial message
The 73-year-old reflected on his role in TV drama A Woman Of Substance, adapted from one of the author's most well-known books, in the note that was read out on his behalf. Taylor Bradford died at the age of 91 on November 24 last year following a short illness, 'and was surrounded by loved ones to the very end', a spokeswoman said at the time. Author Barbara Taylor Bradford poses for pictures after she received her honour from Queen Elizabeth II (Steve Parsons/PA) Actors, authors and other notable figures attended the service at St Bride's Church in Fleet Street, London, on Thursday. Neeson said in his message: 'In 1984, I had the great honour of playing Blackie O'Neill in the television adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman Of Substance, and again in its sequel, Hold The Dream. 'It was a landmark moment — the first television drama series to reach more than 13.8 million viewers on Britain's Channel 4 — and something we were all incredibly proud of. 'But more than the numbers, it was Barbara's vision, her storytelling, and her fierce dedication to her characters that made the work so special. 'She was a force — elegant, brilliant and unstoppable — and I feel deeply privileged to have been part of bringing her words to life.' Liam Neeson starred in an adaptation of A Woman With Substance (Ian West/PA) Human rights lawyer Cherie Blair, wife of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair, was also in attendance and reflected on her friendship with the author in a speech. 'I can hardly believe it's been over 20 years since I first met Barbara in New York,' she said. 'Tony and I were attending an event while he was UK Prime Minister. 'Although I can't recall the specifics of the event, I vividly remember meeting Barbara and, of course, her beloved husband, Bob (Robert Bradford). 'Meeting her was such a thrill — not only because I had read her books but also because she was a favourite author of both my mum and grandma. 'Barbara and I instantly connected as Northern girls who had ventured far from our roots, yet never forgot where we came from. 'At the time of our first meeting, Tony had not read any of Barbara's books, but he was so struck by her intelligence, elegance, and charm that he subsequently watched the TV show and read the book. 'Barbara and I stayed in touch, regularly meeting when I was in New York or when she was in London. 'One memory I treasure is attending the Women of Substance Awards with her at the Dorchester in London in 2009. 'The awards were so typical of Barbara — her unwavering support for other women was truly inspiring. She even offered me invaluable advice when I was establishing my own foundation for women. 'Barbara seemed ageless. Whenever we met, she was always engaged, well-informed, feisty and, of course, impeccably dressed. 'She was the epitome of a woman of substance — wise, fun and endlessly inspiring. We will deeply miss her warmth, wisdom and friendship.' Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair and his wife Cherie Blair (Leon Neal/PA) The service began with the theme music from A Woman Of Substance and included an address from actress Jenny Seagrove, who played a young Emma Harte in the TV mini-series. In April it was announced that Vera actress Brenda Blethyn will lead a new Channel 4 adaptation of A Woman Of Substance, playing protagonist Emma. The book is a rags-to-riches tale set in the 1900s that follows the life of Yorkshire servant Emma who later heads up a business empire. Taylor Bradford was often labelled 'the grand dame of blockbusters', with her books selling more than 91 million copies and having been published in more than 40 languages and in 90 countries. Other TV adaptations of her books included ITV's Act Of Will starring Elizabeth Hurley and Victoria Tennant, and To Be The Best, a sequel to A Woman Of Substance with Lindsay Wagner and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Wales Online
37 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Fans left disappointed following the Race Across the World final
Fans left disappointed following the Race Across the World final Caroline and Tom Bridge were the first to cross the finish line on series five of Race Across the World, although some fans are not happy about the result. Mother and son duo Caroline and Tom were crowned the winners of the fifth series of Race Across the World. (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert ) WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Race Across the World. The Race Across the World final saw mother and son, Caroline and Thomas Bridge win. The pair won, after competing against five other pairs to race across a total distance of around 8,700 miles (14,000km) between the Great Wall of China, north of Bejing, and Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. Not only did they win the cash prize of £20,000 after a total of 51 days travelling, the pair also learnt a lot about themselves. During the series Caroline had opened up about how she felt she had lost her identity outside of being a mother and a wife. Thomas however, discussed his struggle with cerebral palsy. Thomas, 21, told the BBC : " 51 days racing through countries that I never thought I'd go to, and never thought we'd come this far, and never thought we'd achieve so much. And I've never been prouder of my mum." However, following the series finale fans of the show took to social media to share their disappointment over the winning pair. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . One social media user shared: "Just caught up with the final of race across the world and honestly, first series I'm disappointed with the winner." Article continues below Another added: "The ending the majority didn't want." Content cannot be displayed without consent Another added: "This series has been pretty poor compared to the rest, so many sob stories every single week and not enough racing. Also, Caroline and Tom were shown much more than the others. We barely got to see any actual scenery." Defending the mother and son duo, one social media user said: "Caroline and Thomas were worthy winners and agree it seems race across the world set Caroline free and let her finally be herself . And what was lovely was Thomas saw that too. A great series to watch and all the couples learnt stuff along the way." Since filming the series the pair from Hargrave near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, Thomas and his 60-year-old mother Caroline have been spending more time together following their challenging stint on the show. Caroline shared: "We now try and have a bit more time for each other. We actually make time to stop and enjoy the simple things together and we are hoping to go travelling again." Fans of the show took to social media to share, who they would have preferred to win the competition. One X user even added, "It should've been Fin & Sioned", the childhood sweethearts from west Wales.. You can read more about what Sioned said after the final here. Content cannot be displayed without consent The pair who met on the school bus used the competition to test their relationship and expand their horizons from their home in Carmarthenshire. Ultimately, the couple finished in third place - just 45 minutes behind the winners. However it seemed like the fan favourites were brothers Brian and Melvyn, who went from first place in parts of the competition to finishing in fourth place in the final. The pair opened up about their childhood trauma and grew closer as siblings throughout the competition, moving weekly audiences in the process. One person shared on X: "I've never wanted a pair to win #RaceAcrossTheWorld more than Brian and Melvyn, honestly. They rekindled relationship is so lovely and a win would just be perfect." Article continues below Another added: "My heart is with Brian & Melvyn, though I don't really care that much who wins. You may see old boys, I see little boys who felt unloved by their mum and were treated very differently. Love how they've reconnected."
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys star who surfed the waves to success Born in California in 1942, he showed early musical talent, teaching harmonies to his younger brothers and obsessively studying piano Brian Wilson, who has died aged 82 (Image: 2015 Mark Sagliocco/Getty ) Brian Wilson, who has died aged 82, was considered one of the world's most influential recording artists. Born in California in 1942, he showed early musical talent, teaching harmonies to his younger brothers Dennis and Carl and obsessively studying piano. In 1961, Wilson, his brothers, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine recorded Surfin', a local hit that marked the birth of The Beach Boys. Signed to Capitol Records a year later, the band shaped 1960s American pop with hits such as Surfin' USA, I Get Around and California Girls. The 1966 album Pet Sounds, which included the track God Only Knows, remains a landmark in modern music, influencing generations of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, who called it his favourite record. Article continues below Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson and Carole King were also fans, while The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, fantasised about joining the Beach Boys. The band ranks among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million and they were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Originally unfinished in the 1960s, he finally completed and released Smile in 2004 to critical acclaim. Article continues below Wilson struggled with mental illness and drug addiction, but in later years he toured globally.
