Prue Leith: Great British Bake Off impossible until lockdown is lifted

11 May 2020

Prue Leith has insisted it's "impossible" to film 'The Great British Bake Off' until the coronavirus pandemic restrictions lift.

Prue Leith

The Channel 4 baking show may not return to screens this summer, due to the lockdown, but Prue is hopeful that the programme will return "as soon as" they can "find a way" to get it back on air.

Appearing on 'The Andrew Marr Show', she said of the chances of the next instalment being filmed in time for this summer: "I really hope so, everybody's hoping so, but we're all waiting for Boris to tell us what we're allowed to do and what we're not allowed to do.

"It's impossible at the moment because there are really a lot of people on set, but I'm sure they'll find a way as soon as they can."

The 80-year-old chef admitted she would be "very upset" if she isn't asked back for the next series with fellow judge Paul Hollywood.

Asked if she wants to return, she said: "Absolutely, I'd be very upset if somebody kicked me off.

"Last year I did 'Junior Bake Off' and senior 'Bake Off'.

"Whether or not I'd be able to do both this time I just don't think there's enough time in the year."

Prue's comments on the return of 'GBBO' come after Paul suggested the hit show could be on screens by "late summer".

The 54-year-old show judge thinks Channel 4 bosses could have the next series of the competition ready to air in a matter of months if the government lift the restrictions.

Asked whether the show could return in August, he replied: "It depends on when the lockdown is lifted. If we can get started, we could turn around the programme pretty quickly and still have it out in late summer or early autumn."

'Bake-Off' has been affected by the current pandemic with filming postponed indefinitely, as the show is usually shot between April and July, and aired in August.

Matt Lucas - who will take over from Sandi Toksvig as co-host alongside Noel Fielding - said last month: "We were supposed to be filming in about three weeks' time, but obviously we're just following government guidelines. Whenever they say it's safe to make it, we'll make it. But for the moment, like most other people, we're on hold."