Next Bake Off Judge Odds: Who Will Replace Prue Leith?

By Mark Fordham

Jan 23rd, 2026 6:08 AM EST

Prue Leith has decided to call it a day as judge of the Great British Bake Off, and with that, the great institution as we know it changes once again. Just like when the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4, you can almost hear the outcry from millions of people eating their cream teas at home.

The one constant for the TV show since its beginning is Paul Hollywood and his beguiling eyes, but who will be joining him as a judge for the next series? Fans will be eager for Prue’s humour and penchant for accidental innuendos to remain, even if the Dame won’t be there every week to keep them company.

There are no odds available on this market at betting sites, but that hasn’t stopped Bookies.com coming up with odds on who might replace Prue for this year’s series.

Next Bake Off Judge Odds

Nigella Lawson Reportedly Favourite For Role

If it’s funny innuendos that Bake Offs fans are after, then Nigella Lawson is sure to be a popular pick. From her interesting pronunciation of certain words, to her somewhat risque noises she makes when tasting good food, Nigella is certainly a name everyone will be familiar with. She’s been a regular on TV cooking shows and has extensive cooking and baking credentials. One question would be whether she would be too big a personality to replace Prue. However, her name is being bandied around in some reports.

Nadiya Hussain Would Be Popular

Former winners of the Bake Off are inherently popular with the masses. Nadiya Hussain won series 6 of the show and has gone on to release numerous cookbooks and host plenty of cooking shows. She has the right amount of warmth that contestants would almost certainly love, and her humour would fill Prue’s enormous shoes quite nicely.

Caroline Waldegrave Has Bake Off Judge Experience

Caroline Waldegrave has been seen as the heir apparent to Prue Leith since she took on the Stand Up To Cancer celebrity specials judging role last year. She has an obvious connection in that she founded Prue’s School of Food and Wine and is friends with Prue. She came across well in that series and would be seen as a continuity pick if nothing else. If those specials were auditions, then you could say she did nothing wrong to get the top job now.

Liam Charles Ready To Step Up From Junior Bake Off?

Liam Charles was a really popular contestant on the show in series 8 and has created a great career for himself since, based mostly on spin offs of the Great British Bake Off. Indeed, he has presented Bake Off: The Professionals and is also a judge on Junior Bake Off. His age and screen presence could bring an even new audience to the show and would likely be very popular.

The Rest Of The Batch

Mary Berry would be among the more unlikely names for the show after she stood by the BBC when it moved over to Channel 4 originally. They continue to have a prosperous partnership, so while it would be a sentimental choice to have Mary talking about soggy bottoms alongside Paul once again, it seems unlikely.

Tom Kerridge is a Michelin star chef who has hosted numerous cookery shows and is a judge on Great British Menu, but his background is more based on savoury foods than sweet. Former contestants Ruby Tandoh and Candice Brown wouldn’t be unlikely fits for the role either. 

The funniest, and oddest, choice for the new judge would be longtime presenter Noel Fielding. He has long suggested he doesn’t bake, but he has fans in stitches each week with his shenanigans around the tent.

About the Author

Mark Fordham

More About Mark

Mark spent over a decade as a sports reporter and editor with Goal.com and Bleacher Report. He is now a Content Editor at Bookies.com covering all manner of sports from the Premier League and cricket to the NBA and NFL, and is our resident EPL tipster. Mark also has years of experience working with all things online casino, and knows a good one from a bad one.

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