Dame Prue Leith openly acknowledged that she feels her time may be limited. This revelation came just before the 86-year-old announced her departure from The Great British Bake Off following nearly ten years on the show.
Having expressed her desire to maximize time with her husband John Playfair, Dame Prue shared that she often depends on him when she travels for work.
In an interview on Holly Rubenstein’s The Travel Diaries podcast, Dame Prue candidly stated, “I haven’t got much longer, I’m 85, I want to spend as much time as I can with him.” This sentiment led her to request that John accompany her on trips. While she humorously remarked that he isn’t her “carer,” she acknowledged that the situation is quite similar.
Praising her husband’s humble nature and lack of ego, Dame Prue described him as someone who is unbothered by her higher public profile. She mentioned, “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’.”
Following the loss of her first husband, Rayne Kruger, in 2002, Dame Prue married John in 2016. Together, they have two children – Li-Da Kruger, whom they adopted from Cambodia, and Danny Kruger.
Regarding her youthful appearance at the age of 85, Dame Prue attributed it to healthy habits like good sleep, proper nutrition, and happiness. She dispelled any notions of special secrets, stating that well-being plays a significant role in how one looks.
Dame Prue’s culinary journey began at the age of 20 when she enrolled at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School. By 29, she had opened her first restaurant, Leith’s, in Notting Hill, London, marking a significant milestone in her food career. Over the years, she has become a beloved TV personality and successful author of numerous cookery books. In 2017, she took on the role of judge on the Great British Bake Off, succeeding Dame Mary Berry.
In an Instagram post, Dame Prue announced her decision to step down from the show, citing a desire to explore other opportunities and enjoy her garden during the summers. She expressed gratitude for her time on the show and extended well wishes to her colleagues and successors.
Channel 4’s chief content officer, Ian Katz, paid tribute to Dame Prue, acknowledging her impactful presence on the show and among its contestants. He expressed anticipation for future collaborations with her on upcoming projects.