Bake Off star Prue Leith: ‘I remind Paul Hollywood of his mother-in-law!

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Prue Leith has revealed that she partly got her Great British Bake Off judging job because she reminded Paul Hollywood of his mother-in-law!

Prue Leith has revealed that she partly got her Great British Bake Off judging job because she reminded Paul Hollywood of his mother-in-law!

The 77-year-old star told TV Times that after two auditions the Bake Off producers had fallen in love with her and Paul’s chemistry.

“The first thing Paul said was: 'It’ll be fine, she reminds me of my mother-in-law!' It turns out he likes his mother-in-law!”

After Prue was offered the coveted job, she quickly got on the blower to her predecessor… “I rang Mary to talk about Paul and said: “Is he workable with?” She said yes, he knows his stuff.”

Prue added that she’s fond of the show’s new presenting team Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding, who often have her in stitches with their banter.

“The difficulty is not laughing,” she says. “I did not think you could put so much variation into the same three words – Ready, Steady, Bake. Noel also has the best shirts. And Sandi can make tea faster than anyone; if she sees a tear appearing among the bakers, she’s there.”

As a newcomer, Prue Leith revealed she was surprised by the size of the tent. “I hadn’t rumbled quite what a huge thing Bake Off is so I’ve been surprised about the number of people who are so positive about it in the supermarket. I was also amazed at how big the tent is; it’s the size of a tennis court.”

As to the reason for the show’s huge success, she said: “There is something about Bake Off which is very comforting. I’m sure it’s success is largely due to the fact that nobody sets out to humiliate a contestant. They haven’t cast people to fail. They never put a rubbish baker in and they only pick the best.”

The Great British Bake Off continues on C4 on Tuesdays.

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!