Dame Prue Leith warns Nigella Lawson against joking cake is 'worth the calories' on Bake Off
Dame Prue Leith has told Nigella Lawson, who has replaced her as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, not to make the witty remark because it sparked criticism from some viewers.
Former The Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has urged her predecessor Nigella Lawson not to joke that a contestant’s cake is "worth the calories".
Prue, 86, said the quip landed her in hot water after some of the Channel 4 reality show's viewers said it could be seen as "fat shaming".
The food expert is quoted by the Daily Mail newspaper's Eden Confidential column as saying: "Don't say that. I got into a lot of trouble. Apparently, that was fat shaming."
In January, Prue announced her exit from The Great British Bake Off after nine years to enjoy some downtime, and the show's bosses confirmed 66-year-old Nigella's signing a short while later.
And Prue thinks the TV cook will do a cracking job at judging the contestants' bakes alongside Paul Hollywood, 60, in the famed white tent.
The restaurateur said, "She will obviously be great. She's sassy and clever, and she knows her onions."
Nigella said it was "daunting" following in the footsteps of Prue and original judge, Dame Mary Berry, 90, who quit The Great British Bake Off in 2016 before it moved from the BBC to Channel 4 the following year.
In January, Nigella 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!”
Nigella is no stranger to judging on cookery shows; she served up feedback on MasterChef Australia, as well as a few Christmas specials.
On January 21, Prue took to Instagram to announce her departure from The Great British Bake Off - hosted by Alison Hammond, 51, and 53-year-old Noel Fielding.
Prue 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, Alison and Noel 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."
