gg2
Great British Bake Off news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Prue Leith, 86, was hospitalized after a migraine was mistaken for a stroke. Nigella Lawson replaces her as Bake Off judge.
Background
Prue Leith, a longtime judge on The Great British Bake Off, recently experienced a health scare during a trip to Yorkshire, England. She suffered a migraine attack that was initially feared to be a stroke, leading to her hospitalization. After recovering, she announced her departure from the show, and Nigella Lawson has been named her replacement.
How it unfolded
- Jan 21, 2026Prue Leith announced she was leaving The Great British Bake Off after eight seasons, saying it felt like 'the right time'.
- Aug 12, 2026An excerpt from Leith's column in The Oldie magazine was published, detailing her hospitalization in Yorkshire after a migraine attack was mistaken for a stroke.
- Aug 14, 2026Leith's full column appeared in The Oldie's September issue, where she praised the NHS and said she was 'doing fine now'.
- Aug 16, 2026Channel 4 released the first look at the new series, showing Nigella Lawson with fellow judge Paul Hollywood and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Channel 4 confirmed Nigella Lawson as the new judge, sharing a first look image of the new line-up.
- Public
- Nigella Lawson expressed excitement about joining, saying she takes the role seriously and wants to be part of the 'national treasure' show.
Still unverified
The exact date of Leith's hospitalization is not specified in the material, and details about her recovery timeline are based on her own account.