Prue Leith has admitted she had never watched the Great British Bake Off before joining the show last year.
Restaurateur, food writer and novelist Prue joined Paul Hollywood as judge of The Great British Bake Off when it moved to Channel 4 in 2017.
Prue said at the time: “I am just so thrilled to be joining Paul, Sandi and Noel on the biggest show on TV and I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show – the bakers – are going to create for us. It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team.”
However speaking to the Sunday Times this week, Prue claimed she had never actually watched the show before.
Prue explained: “People said, ‘Weren’t you frightened taking over from Mary Berry?’ But I’d never watched Bake Off, so I had no idea that it mattered so much to so many people.
“But that was a nice surprise because I’m quite an egotist really, and I like being stopped in the supermarket by people wanting selfies and all that.”
Prue went on to admit to initially being hesitant to take part in the baking show after promoting healthy eating.
She reasoned: “It is meant to be entertainment. I did wonder what I was doing on a cake programme when I’d spent so much of my life banging on about healthy eating, but it is quite inspiring and encourages the whole idea of cooking.
“Maybe I’m just whitewashing my desire to do it, because, of course, it is enormous fun and very well paid.”
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this year for a brand new series.
More on: Great British Bake OffPrue Leith
