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Prue Leith has joked that reports around her joining the Great British Bake Off are ‘fake news’.
The Great British Menu host had been tipped by The Sun as Channel 4’s replacement for Mary Berry.
But while Leith laughed off the rumours, she did say she is ‘in the running’ for the judging role.
“I’m certainly one of the runners,” she said. “I can wish, I can dream.
The Great British Bake Off: who could replace Mel and Sue?
“But all this leaking is not a leak. I think it’s called fake news.”
Leith claims she’s had two auditions for the re-launch of the baking contest and ‘lots of meetings’.
“I think I’m close, but I know there are two people in the running,” she added. “And I don’t know who the other is.”
As well as saying that she’s friends with Mary Berry, Leith said the Bake Off’s production company, Love Productions, is a big draw for her.
“I was on the Great British Menu for 11 years, and the reason I stayed for so long is the company was so nice,” she explained.
“The company has to be delightful because you’ve got to spend so much time with them, you’ve got to have crew that really believes in the film and all the rest of it.
“I’m sure Love Productions will be like that.”
Praising the show, Leith said: “I think it has a lovely atmosphere. I don’t like cookery shows which are all about humiliating people.”
The Great British Bake Off will be moving to Channel 4 when it launches Series 8 later this year. Paul Hollywood is remaining on the show, though Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins all stepped down.