Prue Leith, a judge on the popular show Great British Bake Off, has revealed why she chooses not to watch the programme. The decision comes after the 84-year-old star expressed considering quitting due to the demanding recording schedule that was taking her away from her family. Leith has been part of the baking show since it transitioned from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017, taking over the role previously held by Mary Berry.
In an interview with The Times, Leith confessed, “I mostly don’t watch. I’m too vain.” She admitted that she struggles to watch more than a couple of episodes and particularly dislikes seeing herself eating on screen. Comparing herself to her fellow judge, Paul Hollywood, she remarked, “Paul gets the sort of good stare, and he looks fantastic. But you don’t see Paul putting much food in his mouth.”
Leith shared her discomfort with how she is portrayed on the show, mentioning concerns about unflattering angles and critiquing her appearance. Despite acknowledging that viewers may not mind her appearance, she admitted to feeling self-conscious and avoiding watching the show regularly. However, she pushes herself to watch a few episodes because she believes she should.
The news comes shortly after Sandra Toksvig stirred controversy by revealing that she also refrains from watching the show and does not keep in touch with her former co-stars except for Leith. Toksvig explained her reasons for not watching, stating, “It’s not for me. I walked away from the biggest paycheque of my life, but that’s fine. I’d never watched it. I still haven’t watched it. I didn’t understand it.” She highlighted that the experience of filming the show was not enjoyable for her, particularly during the tasting segments.
Following Toksvig’s remarks, Richard Osman, the presenter and author of Pointless, criticised her stance, suggesting that presenters should not host shows they wouldn’t watch themselves. The differing perspectives from Leith, Toksvig, and Osman have sparked discussions among fans and viewers about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the popular baking show.
As controversies surrounding the viewing habits of the show’s personalities continue to unfold, fans eagerly await the next season’s developments and the insights it will offer into the inner workings of the Great British Bake Off.