Prue Leith 'working with Great British Bake Off star' for next TV job
Dame Prue Leith is working with Sandi Toksvig on her first job since leaving The Great British Bake Off.
Dame Prue Leith is working with Sandi Toksvig on her first job since leaving The Great British Bake Off.
The 86-year-old star - who recently announced she has quit her role as a judge on the beloved Channel 4 baking competition - has reportedly already filmed a travelogue with the former Bake Off host in a surprise reunion.
A source told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz: "The two women cemented their friendship during the years on Bake Off.
“Although Sandi left the tent six years ago, they’ve remained close pals and long talked about doing more telly work together.
“Prue’s departure from Bake Off gave her more free time to explore other work she had to keep on the backburner.”
It's said filming has been done in Prue's native South Africa, and the programme is expected to air on Channel 4 later in the year.
As well as exploring some new spots, Prue will also be taking Sandi to some of her own haunts.
The star - who joined the show in 2017 as a replacement for culinary expert Dame Mary Berry, 90, following The Great British Bake Off's move from the BBC to Channel 4 - confirmed last month she was leaving the show.
She said: "After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
"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 [Hollywood], Alison [Hammond] and Noel [Fielding] and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4.
"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."
It has since been confirmed that Nigella Lawson will be stepping into the role.
The TV cook said: "I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now.
“Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.
“The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it.
“I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!”
