Prue Leith CONFIRMS she’s in the running for Mary Berry’s Great British Bake Off judging role

No-one can replace our Mary!

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by Emma Dodds |
Published on

When the news broke that The Great British Bake Off was moving from BBC One to Channel 4, the British Isles was immediately plunged into turmoil.

Because this meant that, as a consequence, we would also lose Mary Berry and Mel & Sue from the nation's absolute favourite TV programme.

Sure, we were divided by Brexit, but Bake Off was the glue that held our small country together.

But not anymore.

Since that day, speculation has been rife around who would replace the woman that 99% of the UK's population wanted to be their grandma, and who would fill the innuendo-filled shoes of the best duo for the job - Mel & Sue.

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Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood have presented The Great British Bake Off since its inception in 2010 (Credit: BBC) ©BBC

And apparently, South African restaurant owner and cookery writer Prue Leith is potentially going to take over the top spot next to Paul Hollywood.

Yep, that's right - she has today confirmed that she's in the running against one other person for the TV role.

Speaking to the BBC today at a charity event, the 76-year-old confirmed that she was "certainly one of the runners" to be the new judge on Channel 4's Bake Off, adding that it would be a "dream".

She went on: "I can wish. I can dream. I've had two auditions with them and lots of meetings. So I mean I think I'm close but I know there are two people in the running. One other person.

"Of course I'd love to do it. Who wouldn't want to do it? I've known Mary [Berry] for years and she loved it."

Mary Berry
Mary Berry recently won the National Television Award for Best TV Judge (Credit: Getty Images)

This comes after The Sun reported yesterday that Prue was in the running for the job due to her "similarities" to Mary.

A source told the paper: "In cookery circles, she's practically royalty.

"Both are from similar backgrounds, so hopefully viewers will be accepting and give Prue a chance to win them over.

"Following in Mary's footsteps is a big challenge. But the producers are confident that Prue has all the attributes."

Well, no-one can replace Mary in our hearts, but we're willing to give Prue a chance! Let's just hope she can rein in that pesky Paul.

Prue has had a fantasitc and varied career so far - she started out in the culinary world as a caterer in the early 60s, then opened her Michelin-starred restaurant Leith's in the late 60s. She founded a cookery school in the 70s and in 1993 sold everything but the restaurant for a whopping £15m.

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Prue opening her first restaurant in 1969 (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

Definitely a keen businesswoman!

You may have seen her on your screens if you're a fan of cookery shows, as she has appeared as a judge on Great British Menu since its first episode in 2006.

Would you be happy with Prue taking over Mary's position on Bake Off? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

Like this? Now read these:

Great British Bake Off: 17 surprising facts about the baking show

Scarlett Moffatt 'being lined up as Great British Bake Off host'

Bake Off's Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins will be reunited on our screens VERY soon!

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