She may have confirmed her decision to step away from The Great British Bake Off, but Dame Prue Leith proved she is anything but slowing down as she confidently took to the catwalk during London Fashion Week on Tuesday night.
Earlier in the day, she was spotted rehearsing her walk at The Art’otel in Hoxton, animated and full of energy as she practised ahead of the evening presentation. For rehearsals, Dame Prue embraced a bold newspaper-print shirt paired with a striking red blazer, matching trainers and her instantly recognisable quirky glasses — bringing personality and presence to every step.
Cheering her on from the front row was an enthusiastic group of familiar faces. Bake Off host Alison Hammond, former presenter Matt Lucas, journalist Charlene White, and Prue’s husband John Playfair were all visibly delighted as she took centre stage. Alison stood out in a green dress and coordinating coat, watching proudly as Prue owned the runway.
When it came time for the main show, Prue unveiled a dramatic transformation. She emerged in an eye-catching orange patterned suit, styled with a bold pink ruffled shirt, while her hair was swept into a playful quiff adorned with flowers — perfectly echoing the joyful eccentricity she has become known for.
The appearance comes just weeks after Prue confirmed she would be stepping back from Bake Off after nine years as a judge. It has since been announced that Nigella Lawson will replace her, joining co-judge Paul Hollywood when filming resumes in April.
Opening up about her decision in an interview with The Spectator, Prue admitted the choice had weighed on her for years.
“When I joined nine years ago, I thought, since I was in my mid-seventies, that I’d be lucky to manage two years,” she said. “But my marbles stayed more or less in place and there seemed no good reason to give up a job I loved.”
Ultimately, it was the desire to reclaim her summers that tipped the balance. A recent trip to Madagascar, she revealed, made her reflect on what she had been missing.
“If I don’t give up Bake Off, I’ll never again have a summer holiday in the south of France, Italy, Spain — or even Cornwall or Scotland,” she explained.
Speaking candidly, Prue added: “At 86, it was time I jumped before I was pushed. I want to work in winter and play in summer.”
Despite stepping away, her affection for the show remains clear. She praised the camaraderie inside the famous tent and the friendships formed during her years on the programme.
Meanwhile, Nigella Lawson has admitted feeling daunted about stepping into the role, describing Prue Leith and Mary Berry as two “great dames” whose legacy she hopes to honour.
As Prue waved to friends in the front row, planted kisses on designers Vin and Omi backstage, and posed confidently for photographs, one thing was unmistakable: while Bake Off may be ending, Dame Prue Leith’s moment in the spotlight is far from over.
Source:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
