Dame Prue Leith has announced that she will step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off after nine years on the Channel 4 baking competition, marking the end of a notable chapter in the series’ history. The decision comes as plans are under way for the next season later in 2026, and it leaves producers with the task of selecting a new judge to join co-hosts and fellow judges in the Bake Off tent.
Leith, who is 86 this year, shared her decision on social media and in public statements. She described her time on the show as “a fabulous part of my life” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside her fellow judges and the production team. In her announcement she said she looks forward to spending more time on personal interests such as gardening.
A Decade on One of Britain’s Most Beloved Shows
Prue Leith first became a judge on The Great British Bake Off for its move to Channel 4 in 2017, taking over from original judge Mary Berry, who departed when the series left the BBC. Leith brought to the programme a depth of culinary expertise and a gentle but candid judging style that won her many fans over the course of nine seasons. Her tenure included judging more than 400 baking challenges and supporting bakers from a range of backgrounds throughout the competition.
Before joining Bake Off, Leith had established a distinguished career as a restaurateur, broadcaster and cookery writer, and she had already served as a judge on other food television series. According to publicly available biographical records, she helped reinvigorate public interest in baking and cooking on television long before her Bake Off tenure, including roles on earlier competitive food shows.
Channel 4 and Love Productions, the company behind the series, praised Leith’s contribution in official comments. They highlighted her “joyous presence”, her culinary authority and her generosity of spirit towards contestants. Channel 4’s chief content officer described her as a figure whose wit and encouragement were hallmarks of her time on the series.
Reaction from Cast, Fans and Industry
News of Leith’s departure has been met with a mixture of appreciation and sadness from current and former contestants and figures in the baking community. Past winners and finalists have shared tributes on social media, recalling her kindness, inspiration and lasting influence on their own baking journeys. The Bake Off audience, drawn to the show’s blend of gentle competition and warm camaraderie, is expected to feel her absence in upcoming seasons.
The series itself continues to be one of the UK’s most watched and talked-about television programmes, credited with boosting consumer interest in home baking and related products in the years since its launch. The Great British Bake Off remains scheduled to return later in 2026 with ongoing involvement from hosts and other judges, while a new judge to succeed Leith has not yet been confirmed.
Legacy and Future
Leith’s departure marks a significant transition for The Great British Bake Off. Her role helped sustain the show’s reputation for being both approachable and technically insightful, blending culinary seriousness with the warmth and humour that has become synonymous with the Bake Off brand. As the programme prepares for its next series, viewers can expect the core elements that have defined it to remain, while also anticipating changes in the dynamic of the judging panel.
For Leith herself, the decision to step away reflects a broader personal shift towards a quieter life beyond television, albeit one shaped by a remarkable legacy in British food media and popular culture.
