The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has pulled out of appearing on the junior version, it’s been reported.
Sources claim the baking expert, 80, decided against appearing in the Channel 4 spin-off due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19, as it would be ‘impossible’ for its young contestants to completely self-isolate before filming.
Despite fears around whether Bake Off would go ahead due to coronavirus, bosses confirmed earlier this week the new series will air later this year as planned.
Not this year: The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has pulled out of appearing on the junior version, it’s been reported (pictured with host Harry Hill and judge Liam Charles)
Sources told The Sun: ‘Producers realised that under-16s were essentially impossible to quarantine in the same way you would adults, so to be on the safe side, Prue is only going to do the main series.
‘Production has already started up and cameras will begin rolling very soon.
‘It’s not yet been confirmed who will join Liam as a judge, if anyone.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Channel 4 and Prue Leith for comment.
Sad news: Sources claim the baking expert decided against appearing in the Channel 4 spin-off due to concerns around COVID-19
Prue usually appears as a judge on Junior Bake Off alongside former contestant Liam Charles, with Harry Hill as host.
It comes just days after it was revealed that the main series of Bake Off has finally begun filming, after production was delayed due to COVID-19.
The popular Channel 4 show had been scheduled to go into production back in April, before the pandemic, and subsequent lockdown, scuppered all plans.
However, Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey brought all hopes for the show’s return back to life on Wednesday, when he revealed that filming is ‘going very well.’
We’re back! It comes just days after it was revealed that the main series of Bake Off has finally begun filming, after production was delayed due to COVID-19 (2019 cast are pictured)
Further, the company’s chief commercial officer Jane Millichip is quoted by Deadline as saying at a virtual Broadcasting Press Guild lunch: ‘It’s all happening in deep secret, somewhere in darkest deepest Britain in the shires.’
The show’s judges Paul Hollywood, 54, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, 47, as well as new presenter Matt Lucas, 46, are reported to have gone into quarantine in the run-up to filming, to allow for close interaction on the set.
While it had been feared that the show’s return would be delayed until 2021, Millichip assured: ‘You will have your Victoria sponge this year.’
Back to work! The show’s judges Paul Hollywood, 54, Prue, Noel Fielding, 47, as well as new presenter Matt Lucas, 46, are reported to have gone into quarantine in the run-up to filming
At the start of the month, hopes for the show’s return this autumn appeared to be all but bashed, when bosses warned that the 2020 series could be axed.
In a statement, bosses of Love Productions insisted they were ‘working hard’ to deliver a new series this year, as fans feared the show would not be ready for its usual return in late August.
It comes following reports that this year’s series will not feature older contestants due to concerns they could fall ill during filming, despite the show being known for its diverse range of bakers.
The Great British Bake Off – which has traditionally been shot in Welford Park, Berkshire – is usually scheduled to begin in late August on Channel 4, but bosses are yet to begin promotions for a new series.
New faces: Matt will take over hosting duties in the tent from Sandi Toksvig for the new series, which will hopefully air sometime later this year