Prue Leith will return alongside Paul Hollywood on the Great British Bake Off next year, it’s been confirmed.
The Great British Bake Off concluded its first series on Channel 4 last night.
Paul and Prue judged 12 Bakers with 30 Challenges over 10 weeks for the eighth series of The Great British Bake Off. From fabulous Illusion Cakes and Fortune Cookies to Stroopwafel and Pasteis de Nata, the Bakers dropped Clangers, gave respect to Italian week and rose to the challenge in Bread week, as they battled it out in the iconic white tent.
Ending on a fabulous Final of small breads, iced biscuits and a Showstopper Entremet, Sophie was crowned winner of The Great British Bake Off 2017.
The final episode of the Great British Bake Off pulled in its biggest audience of the series with a massive 7.7 million viewers and a 34.6% share of audience from 8-9.15pm last night, making it Channel 4’s biggest overnight performance in five years (since The Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in 2012).
The overnight series average of 6.2m/ 28.4% is Channel 4’s biggest in over six years (Since Big Fat Gypsy Weddings in 2011), for all viewers as well as 16-34s.
However the final was somewhat overshadowed by Prue Leith revealing the result twelve hours early on Twitter.
Despite the social media faux-pas, Channel 4 have said Prue will return next year alongside Paul Hollywood plus hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.
Alex Mahon, Channel 4 CEO said: “It’s testament to the phenomenal appeal of The Great British Bake Off that almost nine million people watched Sophie triumph as Channel 4’s first ever Bake Off winner – a fitting finale to the most watched series for young viewers on any channel this year.
“Love Productions, along with Paul, Prue, Noel and Sandi, have served up a showstopper of a series and I’m delighted that they’ll all be back in the tent on Channel 4 next year.”
For now, Sophie and all the Bakers will join Jo Brand on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Thursday 2 November at 10.00 pm on Channel 4.
More on: Great British Bake OffPrue Leith
