Dame Prue Leith may have only recently made the decision to walk away from The Great British Bake Off, but she’s not wasting any time getting back into work and has signed for a new jobDaniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
12:31, 04 Feb 2026Updated 12:31, 04 Feb 2026
Dame Prue Leith is said to have already finished filming a new TV show(Image: Channel 4)
Dame Prue Leith has already secured a new job after quitting The Great British Bake Off. The TV chef, 85, announced just a matter of days ago that she had made the decision to walk away from the TV show, having replaced Mary Berry nine years ago.
Prue, who appeared alongside Paul Hollywood, was a firm favourite but informed fans that she had made the decision to spend the summer in her own garden, rather than the scorching Bake Off tent surrounded by dozens of ovens.
However, it appears that while Prue announced she wanted to “play more and work less”, she has settled for a new TV show with an old pal. Now, it’s claimed that she and Sandi Toksvig, who left Bake Off in 2020, will be jetting off to Prue’s native South Africa for a new travelogue.
Dame Prue is said to have landed a new show with former Bake Off co-star, Sandi Toksvig
“The two women cemented their friendship during the years on Bake Off,” a source said. They continued: “Although Sandi left the tent six years ago, they’ve remained close pals and long talked about doing more telly work together.”
Speaking to The Sun, the source added: “Prue’s departure from Bake Off gave her more free time to explore other work she had to keep on the back burner.” Sandi presented the show alongside Noel Fielding between 2017 and 2020, when she handed over her job to Matt Lucas.
It’s claimed that filming has already come to an end for their joint venture, which is expected to appear on Channel 4 later this year. The publication claims that it could be scheduled around the launch of Bake Off’s 17th season, which will see Nigella Lawson appear alongside Paul Hollywood as a judge.
Dame Prue joined Bake Off nine years ago(Image: Mark Bourdillon)
The new show will see Dame Prue taking Sandi to some of the spots she used to visit in South Africa, as well as new locations. Towards the end of January, Prue shared a collection of snaps from her time on the show as she announced her departure.
She penned: “After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off. Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it and I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4. But now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden.”
“Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it,” she penned as she ended the announcement. Meanwhile, Nigella couldn’t contain her excitement as she spoke about her new job.
She said in a statement: “I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now! Of course it’’ daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.
“The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it. I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity.”
The Mirror has approached Dame Prue and Channel 4 for comment.
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