Prue Leith Announces Exit as “Great British Baking Show” Judge After 9 Seasons: 'I'm 86 for Goodness Sake!'
- - Prue Leith Announces Exit as “Great British Baking Show” Judge After 9 Seasons: 'I'm 86 for Goodness Sake!'
Rachel McRadyJanuary 22, 2026 at 1:44 AM
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Prue Leith/Instagram
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith -
Chef Prue Leith has decided to step down from her role as a judge on The Great British Baking Show
She announced her decision in a Wednesday, Jan. 21 Instagram post
Paul Hollywood reacted to the news online
Prue Leith is saying goodbye to the tent.
The 86-year-old chef, who joined The Great British Baking Show as a judge in season 8, announced on Wednesday, Jan. 21 that she is exiting the baking competition show following last year’s season 16.
“After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off,” Leith wrote in an Instagram post. “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.”
Leith added that it feels like “the right time” for her to step away, noting, “I’m 86 for goodness sake!”
Jim Dyson/Getty
Prue Leith at the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire in Aug. 2025.
As for her future plans, Leith added, “There’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden.”
Adding that she feels “lucky” to have been a part of the show, Leith noted, “Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have.”
Prue Leith/Instagram
Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding on 'The Great British Baking Show.'
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Leith replaced judge Mary Berry on the show in 2017, working alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood and hosts Noel Fielding, who started the same year, and several other co-hosts. Comedian Alison Hammond joined Fielding on the show in 2023.
The Great British Baking Show’s Instagram account also shared a post relaying the news, writing, “Our wonderful Prue has decided to step away from judging Bake Off. From joyful judging to colourful fits to accidental innuendoes, you are simply the best and will be so missed. Please join us in wishing Prue the very best and thanking her for nine brilliant years in the Tent ❤️”
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith in May 2025.
Hollywood commented on the show’s post, writing, “It’s been incredible working with you Prue, you are magnificent and we have had such a laugh, I will see you soon …. I’ll cook ❤️” He also commented on Leith’s post with a heart and a crying face emoji.
PEOPLE reached out to representatives for The Great British Baking Show but did not immediately receive a response.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
