Prue Leith says she may have to 'abandon TV'(Image: Channel 4)

Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith addresses TV exit as 'I haven't got enough life left'

by · Wales Online

Prue Leith, who has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off alongside Paul Hollywood since 2017, is showing no signs of slowing down as she approaches her 85th birthday in a few months.

However, she confesses that her "main concern" about ageing is "not having enough life left to live", as she still has many ambitions to fulfil.

In her 2022 memoir, I'll Try Anything Once, Dame Prue, 84, discloses her desire to adapt her trilogy of books into a TV series and her aspiration to write a baking book inspired by her experiences on the Channel 4 show. Ageing has made her realise she needs to "get a move on".

Expressing her fears of running out of time, Prue wrote: "My main concern is not having enough life left to live. I feel as energetic and enthusiastic, or almost, as I ever did, but of course it can't last."

Prue Leith is focusing on her goals as she gets older(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The Bake Off star also confessed to having "nightmares" about losing her husband John Playfair, prompting the couple to attempt a healthier lifestyle in their later years. This can be challenging for the cook, as her role on the Channel 4 show requires her to regularly sample sweet treats.

She added: "I keep reading about overweight people dying of stroke or heart attack. John isn't fat, but he's definitely on the chubby side and I'm at least a stone overweight, so we make frequent, unsuccessful attempts to lose weight."

Prue, while musing over her future career possibilities, isn't hastening towards retirement. She conceded: "Maybe one day I will finally abandon TV, forgo writing, give up social and charitable causes."

She fantasised about a quieter life: "Maybe then I'll settle down to reading all those books and watching all the classic movies I've missed. Maybe.

"Maybe I'll even be a better granny, remembering my grandchildren's birthdays and attending all their school concerts. Unlikely, but devoutly to be wished."

Prue wrapped up her thoughts on a hopeful note: "One thing's for sure: whatever I do, I hope I will do it with relish."