Prue Leith breaks silence on her future as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, amid claims the show may be 'forced to move to Netflix due to Channel 4's 'money problems''
Prue Leith has broken her silence about her future as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
The 83-year-old star judges the Channel 4 cooking show, which airs every autumn, with Paul Hollywood.
It comes after claims emerged last week that the show could be forced to move to Netflix due to Channel 4's 'money problems'.
The channel axed several shows in 2023, reportedly to control costs, and now it's being said that GBBO could be the next show.
The broadcaster's contract to air the Hit Baking match reportedly expires after the 2024 series, and it is claimed that there have been no talks to renew the contract yet.
Prue Leith has broken her silence on her future as a judge on Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off
The 83-year-old star judges the popular cooking show that airs every fall with Paul Hollywood (seen with Paul)
But a confident Prue has now told the story The mirror: 'Oh my God, I hope to stay with Bake Off wherever it goes. But I don't think it will move.
'I know a lot of people are struggling and Channel 4 has lost a lot of shows.
'But I'm pretty sure as long as Channel 4 is around they will continue to follow Bake Off. It's certainly one of their best shows. I think it has found its natural home on Channel 4.”
Channel 4 is also said to be planning to cut up to 200 jobs after a huge drop in television advertising The sun.
The reports have led to speculation that the series could be ripe for a takeover by rival channels and streaming sites, including Netflix.
An insider told The Sun: 'Bosses are faced with a dilemma: break the bank to keep Bake Off, or lose out to a rival.
'It's no secret that Channel 4 is having money problems, so do they really have the money to land a new deal? They have made cuts and this could very well be to fund a new deal.
'But if they can't match wage demands there's not much they can do, and that opens the door for rivals like ITV and Netflix to swoop in. The fact is that this year is a crucial time for the future of the Bake Off. .'
It comes after claims emerged last week that the show may be forced to move to Netflix due to Channel 4's 'money problems' (Pictured: Paul, Prue and hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond)
The channel axed several shows in 2023, reportedly to control costs, and now it's said that GBBO could be the next show
Bake Off started on the BBC in 2010 but was bought by Channel 4 in 2016 for £25 million in a shock move that saw its original presenters, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, sensationally quit.
The show, judged by Paul and Prue and presented by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, launched on the BBC in 2010.
However, it was bought by Channel 4 in 2016 for £25 million, a shockwave that saw the original presenters sensationally quit.
Netflix currently has the rights to broadcast Bake Off in America, while ITV came close to bidding for the UK rights during the last round of negotiations, but decided against it.
Channel 4 said: 'Any speculation around contracts is just that and we look forward to bringing many more soaking bottoms to our viewers in the future.'
Netflix and ITV declined to comment.