Prue Leith plans to leave Great British Bake Off due to health concerns

Dame Prue Leith, the 85-year-old judge of 'The Great British Bake Off', has expressed uncertainty about her future on the show, suggesting that this year's series may be her last. She acknowledged feeling older and less agile than before, stating, 'Things like getting out of a chair takes me longer than it used to,' and emphasized her desire to leave the show before being asked to do so. Filming for the 16th series is set to begin in April and will continue until June, with the new season airing in September. Despite these concerns, Leith indicated that she still enjoys her role, but is weighing her options, including potentially stepping away from the US spin-off, 'The Great American Baking Show.' Her remarks come amid reports of health-related issues affecting co-host Noel Fielding, who has returned after missing some filming for another project. Leith has been a judge since the show transitioned to Channel 4 in 2017, succeeding Dame Mary Berry.