Prue Leith Steps Down from The Great British Bake Off: Who's Next at the Judges' Table?

The 86-year-old confirmed her departure via Instagram, marking the end of an era for the beloved Channel 4 series. Now, as the show prepares for its next chapter, rumours about her replacement are proving just as flavourful as the bakes themselves.

After nearly a decade in the tent, Dame Prue Leith has hung up her apron and bid farewell to "The Great British Bake Off." The 86-year-old judge confirmed her departure in an Instagram post on January 21, 2026, bringing an end to her nine-year run on the beloved Channel 4 series.

"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.

"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 continued.

Reflecting on her decision to leave, Leith explained that the time felt right to embrace a slower pace of life and make room for other joys, adding:

"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. 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."

Leith joined the show in 2017, stepping into the role previously held by Mary Berry. Over the years, she became known for her measured critiques, dry humour, and the occasional eyebrow-raising innuendo.

She leaves behind Paul Hollywood, 58, and presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, who are all set to return for the next series. Tributes to Leith's contribution poured in swiftly.

But with Leith stepping away, attention has swiftly turned to who will fill her formidable shoes.

Love Productions, the company behind the show, praised her "genuine expertise" and trademark wit "that reduce the entire tent (and the audience at home) to tears of laughter" before adding, "Prue will always have a piece of 'Bake Off's' heart."

Ian Katz of Channel 4 echoed the sentiment, describing her as "a joyous presence in the tent" and thanking her for her "passion, her wit, her ineffable style, and all the summers she spent in the tent." He added, "We will miss her wry, gentle judgement but look forward to working with her on new projects."

The show last aired in September 2025, concluding in November with student Jasmine Mitchell taking the crown. But with Leith stepping away, attention has swiftly turned to who will fill her formidable shoes. And the name on everyone's lips is Nigella Lawson.

According to reports, Lawson is expected to take up the judging role alongside Hollywood when filming begins in April. Contract discussions are said to be in their final stages, with insiders hinting that her humour makes her an ideal fit for the "Bake Off" tent. A source said:

"Nigella's recognised worldwide. She's got the cheeky banter down to a tee, with all her work laden with the fun innuendos and naughty patter that are synonymous with 'Bake Off.' Prue has been wonderful but Nigella will be a sure-fire hit."

Lawson, 66, has long been rumoured as Leith's likely successor, particularly after the veteran judge scaled back her workload in 2024 by stepping away from the celebrity version of the show.

The celebrated food writer and broadcaster has previous judging experience on "MasterChef Australia" and "My Kitchen Rules" and remains one of Britain's most recognisable culinary personalities.

Her debut cookbook, "How To Eat" (1998), became a bestseller, while "How To Be A Domestic Goddess" (2000) earned her the British Book Awards' Author of the Year. Still, the idea of Lawson joining the show has divided opinion online.

Whether viewers are ready for this new recipe remains to be seen.

Some were thrilled at the prospect. One person shared, "Will start watching bake off again I love Nigella. I had the pleasure of meeting her at her book signing and she was so lovely and kind. I liked Bake off when Mary Berry was on it but went off it after she left. Definitely think Nigella will be great [sic]."

Another echoed that sentiment, commenting, "Good luck to Prue, you were great (never as good as Mary, when ut was on BBC though.) I'd give Nigella a chance before slagging her off [sic]."

Not everyone was convinced, though. One individual declared, "No just no. Thats me finished watching if she is on it [sic]," while another said, "Oh no! cannot stand the woman with her posh voice and silly double entrends. Won't be tuning in to GBBO anymore [sic]." One person was especially blunt, typing, "Oh no her voice [sic]."

Others took a more humorous route, with one comment reading, "Ah well...thats one way to make sure your husband watches it with you! [sic]," and another writing, "My husband will now watch bake off! # cardboard cut out in his office!!! [sic]"

As fans continue to debate the upcoming shake-up, the tent prepares to open its doors once more — this time, very likely with a touch of Lawson's signature sass, wit, and luxurious vocabulary.

Whether viewers are ready for this new recipe remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain — "The Great British Bake Off" is about to serve up something entirely different.