Bake Off's Prue Leith reveals what she really thinks about new presenter Alison Hammond

Paul Hollywood in a dark shirt and Prue Leith in a pink jacket and glasses sit next to each other in the tent in The Great British Bake Off.
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will reprise their roles in The Great British Bake Off 2023 (Image credit: Love Productions)

Bake Off judge Prue Leith has spoken about new host Alison Hammond, revealing what she hopes she'll bring to the table.

Following Matt Lucas' departure earlier this year, This Morning legend Alison Hammond was named as the new presenter, co-starring alongside Noel Fielding.

Appearing on the Dish podcast alongside Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, the seasoned judge of The Great British Bake Off 2022 and The Great American Baking Show revealed that she hopes Alison's addition to the show will see them going easy on the number of innuendos.

Speaking on the episode, Prue admitted: "I never get the jokes. All this stuff about innuendo and things. I feel I’m really glad Alison’s coming because at least she’s a woman and she’ll be a little more sensible."

However, Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett was unconvinced about Alison's ability to not crack a joke, saying: "I’m not sure about that, we know Alison."

The Great British Bake Off judges sitting around a table

Alison will be replacing Matt who is stepping down from hosting the show with Noel.  (Image credit: Channel 4 / Love Productions.)

Speaking about co-judge Paul Hollywood, as well as presenters Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding, Prue went on to say: "Well, those three men, they’re like three children. You say sausage and everybody always does laughter. What’s wrong with you guys?

"But anyway, that’s them. Over and over again, I’m the butt of the joke because I’m standing there and I don’t understand why everyone’s laughing. But I have said something which apparently is hilarious and it’s rude, but of course, I don’t get it."

The next season of The Great British Bake Off is set to return to Channel 4 in the autumn, with Alison joining the line-up to present it for the first time.

Speaking about her appointment Ian Katz, Channel 4's Chief Content Officer: “Alison is much loved, effortlessly funny, and the owner of the best laugh in Britain.

"She was a huge hit when she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off and we’re thrilled to have her back in the tent.”

Announcing the exciting news earlier this year, Alison said: "This is breaking news, Alison Hammond is joining the team of The Great British Bake Off.

"I'm just absolutely thrilled. I'm going to be meeting the bakers very soon. I'm joining The Great British Bake Off. I'm so very excited."

At the moment, we don't have a confirmed release date for the new season of Bake Off and we're waiting to find out more about the contestants, so we'll just have to be patient for now!

The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 with episodes also available on demand.

Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.

She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress