Dame Prue Leith has opened up about her reaction to seeing Nigella Lawson take her place on The Great British Bake Off
The 86-year-old star announced her departure as a judge on the Channel 4 series in January after nine years on the show. She was succeeded by acclaimed TV cook and author Lawson, who has proved an immediate hit with fans.
Speaking to New! magazine, Dame Prue said: “Bake Off is the best job in television. Paul [Hollywood] and I are still great friends, always will be. Alison [Hammond] and Noel [Fielding], too.
“I didn’t give it up because I didn’t like it. I loved it! And when I watched Nigella Lawson doing her first episode – and by the way, I think she’s terrific at it – I did feel a pang. I thought, ‘Why did I leave? That was such a great job.’ But I'm glad I did.”
Prue admits that she feared she might not get the chance to have another European holiday had she remained on Bake Off due to the programme’s production schedule.
The broadcaster said: “I’m running out of time. There will come a time when I’m not able to travel. John [Playfair, her husband] and I want to do more while I still can. I left for the specific reason that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t get another European holiday.”
Dame Prue now features with John in their ITV cookery series Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen and is shocked at how many people now recognise her spouse in public.
She recalled a shopping encounter: “I was packing the bags and John was paying at the checkout. This woman looked at him and went, ‘You’re John Playfair – you’re the man off the telly! You’re so good and so funny. I love you. In fact, I think I’m in love with you.’ Not a glance my way!”
Meanwhile, Dame Prue says she would be willing to take part in The Celebrity Traitors – even though she has never watched the show – because she accepts most offers.
She said: “I’ve never been asked. And I’ve never watched it. But everybody says it’s absolutely addictive, so I expect I’d say yes. I usually say yes to everything.”
Dame Prue previously described her replacement Lawson as “a great baker” and “mighty glam”.
“[Lawson is] also really nice, mighty glam and seriously bright, sexy and sassy,” she told The Spectator.
“I’m just glad she wasn’t in the running nine years ago.”