She may have announced her departure from The Great British Bake Off, but Prue Leith showed she is anything but slowing down, stepping confidently onto the catwalk for the Vin+Omi show during London Fashion Week on Tuesday night.
The TV icon, 85, returned once again as a model for the designers, and was spotted earlier in the day rehearsing her walk at The Art’otel in Hoxton ahead of the evening presentation.
Cheering her on from the front row were Bake Off host Alison Hammond, former presenter Matt Lucas, journalist Charlene White, and Prue’s husband, John Playfair — all clearly delighted as she took centre stage.
For rehearsals, Dame Prue opted for a bold newspaper-print shirt paired with a red blazer, matching trainers and her trademark quirky glasses. She brought her signature flair to the practice run, animated and confident as ever.
Later, she transformed for the main show, emerging in an eye-catching orange patterned suit styled with a dramatic pink ruffled shirt. Her hair was swept into a playful quiff, decorated with flowers — echoing the joyful, eccentric energy she has become known for.
The appearance comes just weeks after Prue confirmed she would be stepping back from Bake Off after nine years as a judge. It has since been announced that Nigella Lawson will replace her, joining co-judge Paul Hollywood when filming begins in April.
Explaining her decision in an interview with The Spectator, Prue admitted she had wrestled with the choice for years.
“When I joined nine years ago, I thought, since I was in my mid-seventies, that I’d be lucky to manage two years,” she said. “But my marbles stayed more or less in place and there seemed no good reason to give up a job I loved.”
Ultimately, however, the desire to reclaim her summers proved decisive. Prue revealed that a recent trip to Madagascar made her realise how much she had sacrificed.
“If I don’t give up Bake Off, I’ll never again have a summer holiday in the south of France, Italy, Spain — or even Cornwall or Scotland,” she said.
Speaking candidly, Prue added: “At 86, it was time I jumped before I was pushed. I want to work in winter and play in summer.”
Despite her departure, she expressed deep affection for the show, praising the unique camaraderie inside the famous tent and the friendships she formed during her time on the programme.
Meanwhile, Nigella Lawson has admitted feeling daunted by stepping into the role, following what she described as two “great dames” — Prue Leith and Mary Berry.
Calling Bake Off a “National Treasure,” Nigella said it was both an honour and a responsibility to take on the role.
As Prue confidently strutted down the runway — kissed designers Vin and Omi backstage, waved proudly to friends in the front row, and posed for photographs — one thing was unmistakably clear: while Bake Off may be ending, Dame Prue Leith’s spotlight moment is far from over.
