Prue turned to Mary to ask about co-judge Paul Hollywood before taking the high profile role on the hit show, Great British Bake Off
New Great British Bake Off judge, Prue Leith, has revealed she had a private chat with Mary Berry before joining the show as she was "anxious" to know more about Paul Hollywood.
The cookery writer and presenter, who was named as Mary's replacement last week, has told how she rang up Mary to find out more about fellow judge, Paul, who will be the only original Bake Off celebrity to stay with the show when it moves to Channel 4.
Prue told The Sun, "When Mary said she wasn't going with it, I'll confess I thought, 'I'd quite like that job.'" But before signing on the dotted line for the high-profile role, restaurateur and Great British Menu star Prue, called Mary to get the lowdown on 51-year-old Paul.
Prue said, "“I was very anxious to know. She said he was lovely, so that was OK."
She added that she was very happy to be working with Noel Fielding who will co-host the show along with Sandi Toksvig, replacing popular duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. Although she admitted she wasn't very familiar with Noel saying, "I've only heard of him because my children just adored him. They don't watch Bake Off but they do watch him."
Meanwhile Prue, 77, said she was pleased the show was going to be different. She said, “What would have been fatal is if they had tried to simply do exactly the same thing and replace Mary with someone very like Mary and to replace Sue and Mel with similar kooky girl comedians.
“I think it would have been really hard to get it right. But if we’re all very different, it will be different.”
Channel 4's Great British Bake Off is expected to air this Autumn.
Prue said of her future on the show, “I hope I last as long as Mary – that would be a terrific triumph.”
