Prue Leith's Great Celebrity Bake Off replacement is confirmed

Prue Leith's Great Celebrity Bake Off replacement has been confirmed.

The full line-up for the Stand Up To Cancer 2025 celebrity specials have been revealed alongside the hosts and judges. 

And while Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding and Paul Hollywood will step back into their usual roles, a new face in the form of Prue's close friend can be seen alongside them in the promotional image. 

Channel 4 have confirmed that Caroline Waldegrave OBE will be taking over from Prue temporarily, after the TV star, 84, confirmed last year that she'll be taking a break from the specials due to the demands of back-to-back filming.

Caroline, 72, who is the former Managing Director and co-owner of Leiths School of Food and Wine, first met Prue in the 70s when she applied for a job at the latter's catering company before they went on to become firm friends. 

Caroline looked delighted to be filling in for her pal as she beamed alongside Alison, 49, Noel, 51, and fellow judge Paul, 58.

Meanwhile, the full line-up of celebrities taking part in the show has been revealed, with 20 famous faces set to battle it out in the kitchen.

Each episode will see four celebrities take on the Signature, Technical and Showstopper rounds in a bid to impress the judges and be crowned Star Baker. 

Among the stars taking part are Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway, TV presenter Sarah Beeny, author Ellie Goldstein, Loose Women's Gloria Hunniford and actress Meera Syal. 

There is also a husband and wife duo in the form of comedian Chris Ramsay and his wife Rosie, while a sibling duo will also feature as I'm A Celebrity's Scarlette Douglas takes part with her brother Stuart.

Comedian Adam Buxton, Ghosts actor Jim Howick, radio star Roman Kemp, writer Jamali Maddix, Bafta winner Gbemisola Ikumelo and Dinnerladies favourite Maxine Peake will also be cooking up the storm.

While completing the 2025 lineup is musician Self Esteem, Derry Girls star Tommy Tiernan, actress, Sophie Willan, Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg and comedian Phil Wang. 

Last year, Prue was quick to clear up rumours that she'd quit the Channel 4 show permanently and instead confirmed that her absence would only be temporary. 

Speaking during an appearance on This Morning back in March, she told 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. 

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'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.'

Prue previously told MailOnline about the decision: 'I absolutely love working on Bake Off and am looking forward to filming the next series and meeting our new bakers.

'I am only stepping back from the Celebrity series, which is just a question of the filming commitment involved as we make these shows back to back.'

A spokesman for Bake Off creator Love Productions said: 'Prue will be stepping back from The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.' 

'Prue absolutely loves working on Bake Off but filming two series a year can be punishing on top of her other commitments,' a source told The Sun.

'She has already filmed the normal series, which will air this year but she will not appear on the celebrity version.

'Prue has made it clear she adores the show and would like to come back in 2025. She will turn 85 next year, so it's not surprising that she wants to take time off.

In 2017 Prue, who was made a Dame in 2021 for her services to food, broadcasting and charity, replaced Mary Berry as a judge. 

It comes after Prue admitted that she is 'conscious this is nearly the end' of her life in an emotional discussion about her health. 

Joining the Loose Women panel on Wednesday for a special edition of the show named 70 plus, the Great British Bake Off judge candidly said there were 'all sorts of things wrong' with ageing. 

Opening the show, host Janet Street-Porter said: 'Old age isn't something to fear it is something to celebrate!' as they celebrated 70 years of ITV. 

However, Prue disagreed and exclaimed: 'Well, I think old age stinks.

'It takes me 10 minutes to get myself out of bed in the morning. If I don't do the exercises I can't move. There's all sorts of things that are wrong with old age.

'You know, you are very conscious that this is nearly the end, though I agree that you then decide that you're going to make the most of it and have fun.'

She added: 'I think what we're all saying is that we don't care what people think as much as we did and to be honest I don't even really care if I'm cancelled.' 

'So what?' Prue shrugged while Janet agreed with her.

Recently Prue said she is taking life in her stride as she revealed that she has become 'more reckless' as she ages. 

The Bake Off star joked she is 'so near the end' that if something 'sounds like fun' she is happy to give it ago.