Latest news with #DamePrue
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Bake Off's Prue Leith says 'I have been lucky' as she shares secret to her long life
Bake Off's Prue Leith says 'I have been lucky' as she shares secret to her long life Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith has become a national treasure thanks to her no-nonsense judging approach on the hit Channel 4 show - and she's now shared her key to living a long life Dame Prue has pinpointed one thing as being behind her longevity (Image: Nordin Catic, Getty Images for The Cambridge Union ) Great British Bake Off star Dame Prue Leith, has shared her secret to a long life, attributing it to one key factor. With her career highlight coming when she landed a role on the Great British Bake Off, Dame Prue has become a familiar face in homes across the nation, thanks to her extensive television work and an array of cookbooks imparting her culinary expertise. She stepped into Dame Mary Berry's shoes on The Great British Bake Off in 2017, coinciding with the show's move from BBC to Channel 4, and has since been a staple on the series, judging alongside Paul Hollywood. Dame Prue is possibly best known for her role on the Great British Bake Off (Image: Ki Price, Getty Images ) Despite her commitment to the main series, she took a step back from the celebrity edition earlier this year, explaining: "It's mainly because these things are filmed back to back," which leaves her with "no time off." When not gracing our screens, Dame Prue recently revealed her longevity secret on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, crediting her enduring health to genetics and happiness: "I think I'm really lucky because I think I must have good genes, obviously, and I'm very happy." Article continues below Dame Prue shared her longevity secret during a recent chat with Mark Wogan (Image: Simon Ackerman, Getty Images ) The octogenarian acknowledged that while "luck" may have played a role in her long life, she believes that a joyful disposition is crucial for staying young at heart: "You know, I think a lot of people age because they're not enjoying their lives. And I think happiness makes a huge difference." She also expressed gratitude for her family's well-being, adding: "And I have every reason to be happy because all my children are healthy - my two children are healthy, my two grandchildren are healthy and happy and doing well. Prue recently stepped back from judging on the celebrity version of GBBO (Image: Dave Benett,for Killik & Co ) "And you know, I've had a great, lovely career in lots of different areas. You know, I've done a lot, and it's all been quite successful. It hasn't all been successful, of course - there have been failures along the way. But the fact is that I've had a good career in catering." Beyond her television triumphs, Dame Prue Leith has carved out an impressive career, which blossomed following her studies at the famed Cordon Bleu School. Subsequently, she returned to England to open her first restaurant. Article continues below Her husband John Playfair is often seen alongside her on Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen (Image: Lia Toby, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Dame Prue shares her life with her husband John Playfair, a former fashion designer, who joins his wife on the television programme Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen. The show, which first aired last year, features Dame Prue as she demonstrates her cookery skills, whilst also providing recipes and cooking advice to her celebrity guests.
Wales Online
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Mary Berry told Prue Leith 'he doesn't need you' in honest response to Bake Off question
Mary Berry told Prue Leith 'he doesn't need you' in honest response to Bake Off question Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has opened up about the advice she was given by her predecessor, Dame Mary Berry, after taking over from her on the show Dame Prue Leith has revealed how she spoke to Dame Mary Berry shortly after taking a role on the Great British Bake Off (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Dame Prue Leith has shared an insightful tidbit about Dame Mary Berry's advice when she was set to take over from the baking legend on the Great British Bake Off. Already a celebrated figure in the culinary scene and having made various TV appearances, Dame Mary became a familiar face on the BBC in 2010 with her co-host Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off, providing critiques on the contestants' baking creations. After a remarkable six-year stint on the show, Dame Mary chose to depart out of allegiance to the BBC when GBBO's move to Channel 4 was announced. Dame Mary stepped down from her position on the Channel 4 in 2016 (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) The announcement soon followed that Dame Mary's successor would be none other than Dame Prue, with Paul continuing his role as judge. Reflecting on this significant moment in her career during an interview on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, Dame Prue reminisced about reaching out to Dame Mary for guidance ahead of stepping into her new role. Article continues below Reflecting on her past interactions with the renowned baker, Dame Prue recalled: "I have known Mary for many, many years, we're not close friends but we do like each other. Dame Prue revealed how she was eager to get a character reference of Paul Hollywood after taking a role on the show (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) "When I got the job that she had given up on Bake Off, I rang her up to ask her whether Paul Hollywood was workable with, and I thought, she had worked with him for eight years by then, so I knew she would tell me the truth." She recounted Dame Mary's sage advice about working with Paul: "She was very interesting, she said 'do you know what? He is so good and he is very good at his job and he knows baking backwards, he's a lovely guy and very friendly and easy to work with'." Dame Prue also divulged what the cherished baker warned her about: "But, he knows so much and he's so knowledgeable, he doesn't need you at all. You have to just hold your own and push yourself in because he'll just do the show without you'." Dame Prue recently stepped back from her role on the celebrity edition of the show (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Article continues below Even though Dame Prue has been a part of the show since taking over from Dame Mary in 2017, avid GBBO followers might have noticed her absence in the celebrity special, where newsreader Kate Garraway triumphed as the champion. Discussing why she opted out of the latest series, she cited the demanding schedule as a key reason: "These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off." Continuing, she shared: "I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's."
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Prue Leith says 'I honestly don't know' as she shares Bake Off filming update
Prue Leith says 'I honestly don't know' as she shares Bake Off filming update Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has admitted that she doesn't know if she will be returning for the next series of the beloved Channel 4 show Dame Prue took over from Mary Berry on GBBO in 2017 (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Dame Prue Leith has offered a frank insight into her tenure on Channel 4's much-loved programme, the Great British Bake Off. Renowned for her culinary prowess through appearances on numerous cooking shows and authoring several books, Dame Prue has cemented her reputation as a distinguished figure in the culinary industry. Best known for her involvement in the Great British Bake Off since joining in 2017 after Dame Mary Berry stepped away, the accomplished 85-year-old chef is approaching her eighth year on the show. As such, there has been ongoing speculation about the length of her stay as a judge beside Paul Hollywood. Dame Prue is joined by Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond on the show (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) As fans eagerly await the Great British Bake Off's return to television shortly, Dame Prue has shed light on whether this series might be her last. Speaking with My Weekly magazine, she revealed: "Will this be my last Bake Off? I honestly don't know." Expanding on her thoughts about her future on GBBO, she expressed her desire to leave on her own terms: "We often don't get a new contract until we're actually filming a new series." Article continues below She added: "When I stop doing it, I want to jump rather than be pushed. I know I'll have to stop some time, but right now, I'm very happy." She shared what her future on the show looks like (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Dame Prue's recent remarks about the programme came shortly after her notable absence from the celebrity version of the show, which concluded in April with Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway triumphing over her rivals. Concern grew amongst fans when Dame Prue wasn't seen on the April episodes, stirring fears she might be stepping down from the show. However, the renowned baker made it clear that her absence was limited to this year's celebrity series, stating: "These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off. I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's." She studied at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School in her 20s (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Article continues below Before becoming a household name on television, Dame Prue had already built an impressive career in the culinary arts. At the age of 20, she embarked on her gastronomic journey at the esteemed Cordon Bleu Cookery School in France. Finishing her studies, she did not waste time to launch Leith's, her very own eatery, in Notting Hill, London. After steering the restaurant to a Michelin-star status during its more than a quarter-century tenure, she decided to say goodbye to Leith's in 1995.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prue Leith opens on heartbreak saying 'I'll miss him until the day I die'
Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has opened up on a heartbreaking family loss as she talked about her brother's death, admitting she will "miss him until the day I die" Dame Prue Leith has shared a touching tribute, saying "I'll miss him until the day I die" as she spoke candidly about the devastating loss of her brother. Having become a household name in the culinary scene, Dame Prue's expertise has graced some of the nation's most beloved programmes. Her career took a huge leap in 2016 when she was revealed as the new judge alongside Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off. Despite her rise to stardom through her exceptional talent in baking, the 85-year-old has recently opened up on the sorrow of losing her "best friend". Speaking to the The Times, Dame Prue fondly remembered her brother David, saying: "David died in 2012, and Jamie, six years younger than me, died three years ago. It feels like yesterday. He was my best friend, confidant, supporter and critic and he knew what mattered in life: his family were his world, and his friends were important." As Gloucestershire Live reported, she looked back on his life, which involved several careers, and how he was mostly "househusband" to care for his four kids: "He had various jobs, as an actor, restaurateur, journalist and businessman, but mostly he was a househusband, looking after four children while his wife, the writer Penny Junor, brought home the bacon. He wrote a hilarious memoir, Ironing John: The Househusband's Tale," she said. Dame Prue continued the touching tribute, saying: "When the children had grown up, he took an office job. When he retired, he said it was to spend more time with his tennis racket, fishing rod and golf clubs. I will miss him until the day I die." Besides this touching reflection, Dame Prue has been passionately campaigning for assisted dying following David's struggle with bone cancer. During an interview with Sky News in April last year, she said: "He was spending every three weeks out of four in absolute agony. "For his family to be round while he was crying, begging to die, begging to be given more morphine, it was desperate to watch." In the same year that Prue spoke out, UK MPs found themselves debating the issue before casting their votes. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 to Parliament in October 2024, aiming to "allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life". A month after, the bill gained approval in a vote by MPs, passing 330 to 275, and moved to a public bill committee for further scrutiny.
Edinburgh Live
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Prue Leith says 'I'll miss him until I die' as she struggles with loss of 'best friend'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dame Prue Leith has shared a touching confession stating "I'll miss him until the day I die", as she opened her heart about the devastating loss within her family. Beloved chef Dame Prue, who has risen to stardom in recent years after sharing her culinary knowledge on some of the nation's favourite programmes, gave an insight into her personal heartache. Although her TV career had taken off prior, it was in 2016 that Dame Prue secured arguably her most renowned gig, when she stepped in alongside Paul Hollywood to critique on The Great British Bake Off. Now, the 85-year-old has opened up about her life away from the screen and the sorrow over the death of her "best friend". (Image: BBC) Pouring out her sadness for her beloved siblings, Dame Prue confided in an interview with The Times about their bond, remarking: "David died in 2012, and Jamie, six years younger than me, died three years ago. It feels like yesterday. He was my best friend, confidant, supporter and critic and he knew what mattered in life: his family were his world, and his friends were important." As she looked back on her brother Jamie's life, Dame Prue shared a heartfelt account of his varied past roles and commitment as a "househusband" taking care of his four children: "He had various jobs, as an actor, restaurateur, journalist and businessman, but mostly he was a househusband, looking after four children while his wife, the writer Penny Junor, brought home the bacon. He wrote a hilarious memoir, Ironing John: The Househusband's Tale." In her loving tribute, Dame Prue spoke candidly about how the loss of her brother continues to weigh on her: "When the children had grown up, he took an office job. When he retired, he said it was to spend more time with his tennis racket, fishing rod and golf clubs. I will miss him until the day I die." Outside of her personal reflections, Dame Prue has strongly advocated for assisted dying, having previously discussed her brother David's painful fight with bone cancer. (Image: PA) During an interview with Sky News in April last year, she revealed the extent of his suffering: "He was spending every three weeks out of four in absolute agony." Further explaining the impact on their family, she recounted: "For his family to be round while he was crying, begging to die, begging to be given more morphine, it was desperate to watch." Her remarks came as MPs in the UK engaged in debates around the emotive topic of assisted dying before heading into a parliamentary vote. In October 2024, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 to Parliament, a bill that seeks to "allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life". Following parliamentary approval with a vote count of 330 in favour to 275 against, the bill was slated for further examination by a public bill committee. More details on the bill's developments can be found here.
