Dame Prue Leith’s longtime friend is stepping in as a guest judge for the upcoming Celebrity Bake Off special, Channel 4 has confirmed.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer returns this spring, featuring hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding alongside judge Paul Hollywood—and a surprise temporary replacement for Leith.
The 84-year-old baking expert previously announced she would be stepping back from the specials due to the intense filming schedule.
Filling her shoes for the one-off stint is Caroline Waldegrave OBE, former Managing Director and co-owner of Leiths School of Food and Wine.
Beaming alongside the show hosts and her fellow judge, Waldegrave looked thrilled to take on the role as she joins the series, where four celebrity contestants battle it out each episode to be named Star Baker.
See also: Prue Leith gets honest about being in her 80s: 'Old age stinks'
Meanwhile, GBBO Stand Up To Cancer has unveiled its star-studded 2025 lineup, with 20 famous faces ready to roll up their sleeves and take on the ultimate baking challenge.
Each episode will see four celebrities tackling the Signature, Technical, and Showstopper rounds, all hoping to impress the judges and claim the coveted Star Baker title.
This year’s contestants include Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway, property expert and broadcaster Sarah Beeny, model and author Ellie Goldstein, Loose Women panellist Gloria Hunniford, and acclaimed actress Meera Syal.
Adding a family twist to the competition, comedian Chris Ramsay and his wife Rosie will go head-to-head in the tent, while I'm A Celebrity star Scarlette Douglas is joined by her brother Stuart.
Also taking part are comedian Adam Buxton, Ghosts actor Jim Howick, radio host Roman Kemp, writer Jamali Maddix, BAFTA-winning actress Gbemisola Ikumelo, and Dinnerladies icon Maxine Peake.
Rounding out the lineup are musician Self Esteem, Derry Girls favourite Tommy Tiernan, actress Sophie Willan, Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg, and comedian Phil Wang—guaranteeing a series packed with laughs, drama, and plenty of flour-covered chaos.
Last year, Leith wasted no time shutting down rumours that she was leaving The Great British Bake Off for good. Instead, she reassured fans that her absence would be only a short break.
Appearing on This Morning in March, she set the record straight while chatting with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: “It's absolutely not true at all! [that she's quit the show]. What I'm not doing this year is the celebrity one.
“These things are filmed back-to-back all the way through summer from April to August so you don't get any time off. I'm getting quite old and there's places I want to see. So I'm not doing this year's.”
