Dame Prue Leith has shared a remarkably candid piece of advice she received from her predecessor, Dame Mary Berry, upon taking over as a judge on The Great British Bake Off. The revelation comes as Prue announces her own departure from the beloved baking show after nine years.
A Pivotal Phone Call Between Baking Icons
During a recent appearance on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, Prue Leith reflected on the significant career moment when she telephoned Mary Berry for guidance. This occurred after Prue accepted the role on the Channel 4 programme, filling the position left vacant when Mary stepped down in 2016 following the show's move from the BBC.
"I have known Mary for many, many years, we're not close friends but we do like each other," Prue explained, setting the scene for their frank discussion. "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."
The Four-Word Verdict on Working with Paul Hollywood
Prue recounted that Mary Berry was initially very complimentary about her former co-judge. "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'," Prue shared.
However, the conversation then took a more direct turn. Mary Berry followed her praise with a crucial warning about the dynamics of working alongside the renowned baker. "'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'," Prue revealed, quoting Mary's blunt four-word assessment: "He doesn't need you."
Prue Leith's Bake Off Journey Comes to an End
This insight into the show's behind-the-scenes relationships emerges as Prue Leith announces her decision to step down from The Great British Bake Off. In a statement shared on Instagram, the 86-year-old explained her reasons for leaving.
"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," she said. "But now feels like the right time to step back (I'm 86 for goodness sake!), there's so much I'd like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden."
Prue added her well-wishes for her successor: "Whoever joins the team, I'm sure they'll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it."
Channel 4 Pays Tribute to a Beloved Judge
Channel 4's chief content officer, Ian Katz, paid a warm tribute to Prue Leith's contribution to the series. "She leaves an indelible mark on the show and all its bakers. We will miss her wry, gentle judgement but look forward to working with her on new projects," he stated.
During her tenure on the programme, Prue Leith worked with a variety of hosts, including current presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, as well as previous hosts Sandi Toksvig and Matt Lucas. Her departure follows her absence from the 2024 celebrity edition, where her close friend Lady Caroline Waldegrave judged alongside Paul Hollywood.
The revelation of Mary Berry's straightforward advice provides a fascinating glimpse into the professional relationships that have shaped one of Britain's most cherished television programmes. It underscores the challenge of establishing oneself alongside a figure as established and knowledgeable as Paul Hollywood, while highlighting the respectful yet honest dialogue between two of the nation's foremost baking authorities.
