Mary Berry jumped ship when the programme left the BBC, but who is new replacement judge Prue Leith and how did bosses cast her for the role?
Paul Hollywood has spoken out about how Prue got the job, and how their chemistry began to flare onscreen.
Speaking to press including Express.co.uk at a screening for the first episode, Paul explained: “Well I knew Prue was coming in to audition obviously. For me I was really looking forward to it. I’d seen Prue on The Great British Menu and knew she was quite a tough cookie.
“I was dying to meet her. I knew her background and that she knows the business, 55 years in the industry. It was great. When we met we did an audition.
“I think she was initially a little bit nervous and then I had a quick chat with her off-camera and we went back on. You known when you know, I just knew straight away, ‘Yes, yes, yes! This is perfect’.”
Prue interjected to add: “It was quite interesting because I had been told… which just shows I don’t read the briefs properly. My agent had said, ‘They just want you to meet Paul to see how the chemistry works’.
“So I thought that would be quite fun, I wanted to meet Paul Hollywood anyway. I knew there would be a lot of people who wanted to do this job, so I went thinking I was just going to talk to Paul.
“When I got there, this house was set up like a full scale set. I mean, there were three cameramen and two bakers and makeup and wardrobe and so by the time I got on the set I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to do.”
The 77-year-old expert continued: “I was nervous and then halfway though Paul said, ‘Just go for it. Go on, give it some welly, don’t defer to me all the time,’ and I though, ‘Right!’.”
Paul then teased with a wink: “She hasn’t looked back since!” prompting Prue to laugh: “So that was fun.”
The Great British Bake Off launches tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
