Caroline Waldegrave OBE has joined Celebrity Bake Off as temporary judge, replacing Prue Leith who stepped down after eight years due to demanding filming schedules and personal commitments. Waldegrave, former Managing Director of Leiths School of Food and Wine, brings extensive culinary credentials and educational expertise to the panel alongside returning judge Paul Hollywood. Her appointment maintains continuity while industry sources suggest potential future changes may introduce additional familiar faces to the competition series.
While Paul Hollywood remains as the steadfast anchor of the judging panel, the 2025 Celebrity Bake Off will feature notable changes as Prue Leith steps down temporarily after eight years of service, making way for Caroline Waldegrave OBE, the former Managing Director and co-owner of Leiths School of Food and Wine.
The judging panel shake-up brings fresh perspectives to the beloved baking competition, with Waldegrave’s extensive culinary credentials and educational background providing continuity alongside Hollywood’s established presence. Her decades of experience in culinary education and professional development, combined with her OBE recognition for contributions to the culinary arts, positions her as a qualified replacement during Leith’s absence.
Prue Leith’s temporary departure stems from demanding filming schedules and personal commitments, prompting her decision to step back from the 2025 celebrity edition after serving as a main judge since 2017. Industry sources indicate that Leith, who has been a longtime friend and colleague of Waldegrave, may return in subsequent series pending official announcements from production teams. Waldegrave’s appointment comes naturally as she maintains a longtime friendship with Prue and brings professional expertise from her background at Leiths School of Food and Wine.
Leith steps back from 2025 judging duties due to scheduling conflicts, with potential return depending on future production decisions.
Paul Hollywood’s continued involvement maintains essential continuity for the show, with his expertise in bread-making and critical feedback style remaining central to the judging dynamic. His hospitality industry background and authoritative presence have contributed notably to the show’s popularity and global reach, making his retention essential during this shift.
Additional changes may extend beyond 2025, with Cherish Finden, a Culinary Olympics champion and veteran judge on Bake Off: The Professionals since 2016, rumored for future panel roles. Finden began her culinary journey at age 14 and brings extensive experience from her professional background. These strategic adjustments aim to keep the judging perspective dynamic while maintaining the technical and creative standards that define the competition.
The presenter team of Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will return unchanged, ensuring consistency in the show’s light-hearted atmosphere while the judging panel evolves. Their role as liaisons between contestants and judges remains fundamental for maintaining the balanced dynamic that fans expect.
These judging panel modifications reflect the show’s commitment to evolution while preserving core elements that have sustained viewer loyalty, with new appointments generating anticipated buzz among the dedicated fanbase while introducing renewed scrutiny and expectations for the upcoming celebrity edition.
