Bake Off winner gives warning over Prue Leith departure

In January, it was announced that Dame Prue, who lives in the Cotswolds, would bow out of the Great British Bake Off after nine series and judging more than 400 challenges.

The 86-year-old has been a judge on the popular baking show alongside Paul Hollywood since 2017, when the series moved from the BBC to Channel 4, replacing Henley resident Dame Mary.

It was then announced on Monday, January 26, that Oxford University graduate Ms Lawson will replace her as the judge on the Bake Off.

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Dame Prue Leith. (Image: Queen’s College)

Now, former Bake Off winner Matty Edgell, who proved victorious back in 2023, has given an inside look at Dame Prue, naming her the “good cop” of the tent.

In an exclusive interview with Lottoland amid the 2026 Celebrity Great British Bake Off, the ex-contestant opened up about his experience with the judge during his time on the show.

“Prue’s so lovely,” he said.

“She’s kind of what I imagine my nan would be like now in terms of how she delivers her messages. That’s probably the biggest compliment I can pay to her.”

“Even when she’s criticising you, you can see it in her eyes. She’s not trying to tear you apart, she’s just doing her job.”

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Prue Leith with the Great British Bake Off cast. (Image: Channel 4/Love Productions/PA Wire)

“She genuinely wants you to succeed, and she’d never lie to you. When we got to taste everyone’s bakes at the end of each challenge, you could always see what the judges saw.”

When comparing Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue, Mr Edgell shared, “Paul could definitely be more cruel with his criticism.”

He added: “It’s definitely a case of good cop, bad cop, and I know exactly which one was which.”

Matty also reveals he figured out how to win Dame Prue over with his bakes by using alcohol in the ingredients.

“For Prue, in the end, I was covering everything with alcohol, like dousing it all in alcohol,” he said.

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TV cook Nigella Lawson is replacing Prue Leith on the Great British Bake Off. (Image: Chenying Cannell/PA Wire)

“I don’t really bake with alcohol, but towards the back end of the competition, if my back was against the wall, I’d find a bottle from somewhere.”

With rumours of Dame Prue venturing to Bake Off America, Mr Edgell said, “She knows exactly what she’s doing.”

“If she took on the American version, I’m sure she’d be a great fit.

“She’s got the experience, and I think she’d really enjoy the challenge of a different country and a fresh perspective.”

Nigella Lawson will take on Dame Prue’s role as judge alongside Paul Hollywood when the Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this year.