Prue Leith to replace Mary Berry as judge on The Great British Bake Off
COOKERY queen Prue Leith is to replace Mary Berry as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
Restaurateur, writer and food campaigner Prue, 76, will join Paul Hollywood when the country’s most popular show moves to Channel 4 this year.
A source said: “In cookery circles, she’s practically royalty”.
TV’s Bake Off bosses see the veteran chef as a “like for like” replacement for Mary Berry.
They believe she is a perfect pick to maintain the spirit of the show as it switches channels.
And they hope viewers will instantly warm to Prue, 76, thanks to her similarities to much-loved Mary.
The acclaimed food writer and restaurateur is the age Mary was when the baking show was launched in 2010.
A source said: “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.
Prue will join Paul Hollywood, 50, on the country’s most popular show later this year when it moves from the BBC to Channel 4.
South Africa-born Prue has appeared regularly on television, including as a judge on BBC’s The Great British Menu — where Mary, 81, has appeared as a guest.
The mother of two is also a successful novelist and newspaper columnist.
She ran a Michelin-starred restaurant and in 1975 founded cookery college Leith’s School of Food and Wine.
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She sold the business in 1993 and the restaurant two years later — before launching a college in South Africa.
Prue was awarded an OBE in 1989, and a CBE in 2010.
She has also sat on the boards of major corporations. But her image is not entirely clean-cut.
She admitted to a 13-year affair with Rayne Kruger — the husband of her mum’s best friend — saying their families were so close it was “practically incest”.
Prue later married Rayne.
Last year’s BBC series finale, which saw Candice Brown crowned The Great British Bake Off champion, drew 14.8million viewers.
But Mary and hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, opted to leave as makers Love Productions chose to take the show to Channel 4.
Executives have been trialling replacement hosts.
A show source said: “The secret to Bake Off is getting the right dynamic between the faces on-screen.”
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “We’ll be announcing the line-up in due course.”