Prue Leith announces she’s leaving the ‘The Great British Baking Show’

Prue Leith, a beloved judge on “The Great British Bake Off,” has announced she’s leaving “The Tent” after nine scrumptious seasons.

The renowned chef and culinary educator, known for her colorful outfits, cheeriness, and cheek, announced her departure Wednesday on Instagram.

“After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off,” she wrote. “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it.”

She said she’ll miss her fellow judge, Paul Hollywood, and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. The foursome have warmed the hearts of viewers across the globe on the friendly on-screen culinary competition.

“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,” Leith wrote. “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.”

Fielding hailed Leith a “national treasure,” adding in a comment, “We had a blast didn’t we!”

Hammond commented: “You have been incredible Prue ! I’m gonna miss our dame ❤️” Meanwhile, Hollywood commented with a heart and tearful emoji.

The British Bake Off shared the announcement on X as well, saying, “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.”

A national treasure, indeed, Leith was made a Dame in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours for services to food, broadcasting and charity in 2021.

Leith is a culinary master who has worn many hats. She was a successful restauranteur who in 1969 opened Leith’s, her restaurant that went on to win a Michelin star, a food columnist, cookbook writer, novelist and broadcaster.

Her legacy also extends into education. In 1975, she founded Leiths School of Food and Wine in London alongside Caroline Waldegrave. She later sold the business in 1995, but it still runs today under her name. In the ’90s, she went on to help create Prue Leith Culinary Institute in South Africa, where she is from.