Bake Off's Prue Leith says 'I haven't got much longer' in worrying update (2025)

Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith has admitted that she believes that she is nearing the end of her life as she claimed 'I haven't got much longer'

The Great British Bake Off's Dame Prue Leith has candidly revealed that she feels she 'hasn't got much longer' in a heartfelt discussion about her life.

The 85-year-old star shared her belief that she is nearing the end of her life and expressed her desire to spend as much time as possible with her husband, John Playfair.

Speaking on The Travel Diaries podcast with Holly Rubenstein, Bake Off judge Dame Prue said: "I haven't got much longer, I'm 85, I want to spend as much time as I can with him."

With this in mind, the popular TV personality explained how she now relies on her husband's assistance when travelling for work.

She added: "And so, if we are filming abroad, or like next week, we're going to New York, because I've got to publicise the American baking show, then I'm now old enough for my agent to say 'I'm sorry, but she has to ring her husband, because she's 85, she needs someone to carry the bags' she doesn't quite say 'she needs a carer' but it's pretty close."

Earlier in the podcast, Dame Prue expressed her admiration for her husband's humble nature.

She told the podcast: "One of the wonderful things about him is that he is totally without ego, he doesn't feel threatened by the fact that I have a higher profile than he does, when I introduce him (to people) he always just says 'I'm the handbag carrier, I'm her chauffeur'."

Dame Prue, who married John in 2016, has opened up about her personal life and the secret to her youthful looks at 85: "I wish I could say it is from some wonderful thing I do, but if I look good or at least younger than I am, then it's got to be at least because I sleep well and I eat well, and I am happy, when you're unhappy, you don't eat well."

She also reflected on her impressive culinary career, which took off after she studied at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School at the age of 20.

She made a significant mark on the industry by opening her first restaurant, Leith's, in Notting Hill, London, at the age of 29.

Her journey has seen her become a familiar face on television down the years appearing in shows including Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen, as well as successfully writing a number of cookery books.

Taking over from Dame Mary Berry, Dame Prue joined the Great British Bake Off as a judge in 2017, becoming an integral part of the show.

Despite her ongoing role on GBBO, Dame Prue has decided to step back from the celebrity edition of the baking show, with her dear friend Caroline Waldergrave filling in for her.

Dame Prue opened up about her choice to step back, revealing: "These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off. I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's."