Strictly Come Dancing chiefs are reportedly eager for Dame Prue Leith to join the dance floor, but there's a significant obstacle preventing her from participating. The 85-year-old Great British Bake Off star has confessed that despite her love for taking on big TV opportunities, it's her family and close friends who discourage her from signing up for Strictly.
Nevertheless, BBC executives haven't given up hope and are "working hard" to present an irresistible offer to the celebrity chef, reports the Express. A source said: "Strictly bosses are very keen to get Prue Leith on board for the 2025 line-up, and are working hard on making a big money offer."
They believe that Prue, much loved by Bake Off audiences, could replicate the success of previous contestants like Debbie McGee and Angela Rippon, who became fan favourites during their stints on the show.
The source continued: "While people like Tasha Ghouri and Zara McDermott are fine contestants, bosses are keen to get a more diverse line-up in, and after Chris McCausland, they want older people or those with disabilities to take the forefront to be more relatable to the older viewers."
However, concerns about potential injuries have led Prue's inner circle to intervene whenever she considers such TV challenges. "Occasionally, wiser heads have dissuaded me from challenges," Prue admitted in an interview with The Oldie.
"My family put a stop to Dancing on Ice with cries of, 'Mum, you can't dance and are far too old – you'll break your neck!' My agent had similar reservations, more politely put, about celebrity Strictly," she added.
However, Prue was able to participate in The Masked Singer as she kept it a secret from her loved ones. "My agreeing to The Masked Singer went unchallenged by nannying friends and family, mainly because they didn't know about it," she admitted.
"Such is the secrecy required, the only member of the family who knew was my husband. I pretended to everyone else that I was having singing lessons because I'd wanted to sing forever."
The South African restaurateur was revealed as Pegasus in January when she became the second celebrity to be eliminated from the ITV competition.
