Prue Leith bids farewell to 'Bake Off', leaving fans emotional

Prue Leith is saying goodbye to the famous Bake Off tent after nine much-loved series, leaving fans emotional and the nation wondering who could possibly replace her.

The 86-year-old judge announced the news on Instagram, revealing that after judging more than 400 challenges, the time has come to step back. 

“Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years,” she wrote, before joking, “But now feels like the right time to step back — I’m 86 for goodness sake!”

For those unfamiliar, Prue joined The Great British Bake Off in 2017, taking over from Mary Berry and quickly winning viewers over with her warmth, honesty and unmistakable sense of style. 

Alongside Paul Hollywood, the show’s last remaining original judge, she helped maintain Bake Off’s famously kind and uplifting spirit.

Each week, amateur bakers faced the signature, technical and showstopper challenges, all under Prue’s expert eye. 

From daring flavours to her love of boozy bakes, she brought decades of culinary wisdom to the tent, not to mention her bold necklaces and memorable one-liners.

It's worth noting that before Bake Off, Prue built an extraordinary career, opening a Michelin-starred restaurant, writing food columns and fronting numerous cooking shows.

Wishing her successor well, she added: “I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”

RELATED: 'Handsome Devil: Charming Killer' explores Wade Wilson’s case