Prue Leith will reportedly replace Mary Berry as a judge on ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
The 76-year-old restaurateur has been chosen by Channel 4 bosses to join Paul Hollywood on the panel of the next series of the cooking show later this year after they lost the baking queen to the BBC when they snatched the rights to the series in a mega-money deal late last year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "In cookery circles, she’s [Prue] practically royalty."
Producers were keen to snap up Prue for the show because she carries similarities to 81-year-old Mary and they’re hoping her laid back personality will allow viewers to instantly warm to her.
A source explained: "Both are from similar backgrounds, so hopefully viewers will be accepting and give Prue a chance to win them over. Following in Mary’s footsteps is a big challenge. But the producers are confident that Prue has all the attributes."
And she’s not the only new face to grace screens when the popular show, which first aired on BBC Two in 2010 and remained with the broadcaster for six years, shifts channels in a few months’ time as bosses are also looking for a replacement for previous hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
An insider added: "The secret to ‘Bake Off’ is getting the right dynamic between the faces on screen."
The ‘Great British Bake Off’ hit the headlines in September when it was announced that Love Productions – the makers of the series – had chosen to accept a three-year deal from Channel 4 after negotiations between them and the BBC broke down because they weren’t willing to offer a large enough sum.
Within hours of the news breaking, Mel and Sue – who have fronted the programme since it first hit screens six years ago – revealed they had quit their roles as hosts in order to explore other ventures.
A few days later, Mary decided she too would step down as a judge on the show out of "loyalty" to the BBC, while Paul, 50, caused a storm when he accepted Channel 4’s offer to remain with the series.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "We’ll be announcing the line-up in due course."
Prue Leith to replace Mary Berry on Great British Bake Off
