Prue Leith hits out at Meghan Markle: Bake Off star says she is NOT a fan and reveals why she won't be watching duchess's new Netflix show
Prue Leith today admitted she was not a Meghan Markle fan, adding: Theres more to life than how you look and how your friends think of you.
Prue Leith today admitted she was not a Meghan Markle fan, adding: Theres more to life than how you look and how your friends think of you.
The Great British Bake Off judge said she did not like all that sort of touchy-feely, mindfulness, endless worrying about what creams you put on your hands.
Leith, 85, feared she had probably alienated half my fans with her comments, but would not watch the Duchess of Sussexs new Netflix show With Love, Meghan.
She spoke out as the lifestyle and cookery programme, which has already filmed a second season, continued to face savage criticism after premiering ten days ago.
Leith was on Good Morning Britain with her husband John Playfair to discuss the second series of their show Cotswold Kitchen which starts on ITV tomorrow.
Presenter Rob Rinder began by saying: The new Meghan Markle series. Co-host Kate Garraway added: We love Meghan. And Rinder said: Yeah. Have you seen it?
But Leith replied: No - Ive only read about it, but I honestly wouldnt watch it. When Garraway asked her why, she added: Well, Im not a Meghan Markle fan.
When Garraway said why not, she replied: Well I dont know, all that sort of touchy-feely, mindfulness, endless worrying about what creams you put on your hands.
Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith appears on ITVs Good Morning Britain today
Leith was on ITV with her husband John Playfair, speaking to Rob Rinder and Kate Garraway
Leith appears with her husband John Playfair to discuss the second series of Cotswold Kitchen
The Duchess of Sussexs new show With Love, Meghan came out on Netflix on March 4
I just think theres more to life than how you look and how your friends think of you.
Garraway said: Right. Then Rinder said: So, not a spoonful of Meghan for you. Leith confirmed: No. And Rinder continued: OK, there you are.
Leith then said: Ive probably alienated half my fans. But Rinder told her: Oh, Im not sure about that.
And Garraway concluded: No, I dont think so. I think what people love about you is in the kindest and gentlest way, you always say what you think, which is great.
Leith is best known for having presented BBC Twos Great British Menu for 11 years before joining The Great British Bake Off in 2017, replacing Mary Berry when the show switched from the BBC to Channel 4.
The programme also airs on Netflix under the titled The Great British Baking Show, as it is known in the US and Canada.
Leith with Noel Fielding, Paul Hollywood and Alison Hammond on The Great British Bake Off
In January, Leith stepped back from all Bake Off specials, with her friend and fellow cookery expert Caroline Waldegrave stepping in.
But Leith has also reassured fans that her absence will only be temporary.
Meanwhile Meghans latest Netflix series has been panned by critics, with The Guardian describing it as a gormless lifestyle filler and so pointless it might be the Sussexes last TV show, while The Telegraph branded it insane and an exercise in narcissism.
In the eight-part show, the former Suits actress give hosting tips and cooks with celebrity friends including The Office star Mindy Kaling.
The Duke of Sussex makes just one appearance at the end of the first seasons final episode when he joins Meghan, her mother Doria Ragland and friends for an outdoor celebratory brunch.
Meghan said it feels like a new chapter that Im so excited that I get to share and Ive been able to learn from all of you, in what is likely to be seen as a nod to the restrictions she felt within the royal family.
The Sussexes, who signed a $100million (£80million) deal with Netflix in 2020, have previously put out the controversial Harry & Meghan documentary, which features accusations against the royal family, and sport show Polo.
The second season of With Love, Meghan is coming in the autumn, and has already finished filming, according to Netflix.
Yesterday, the Duchess announced she was launching a new podcast called Confessions of a Female Founder.
Meghan described the venture as candid conversations with amazing women about the success and struggles of their businesses.
She wrote on her Instagram account that she was so excited to share the news, describing recording the series as absolutely eye-opening, inspiring...and fun!
The former Suits actress added: Because whats the point if we cant have some fun on this wild adventure?
She said the women had shared their tips, tricks (and tumbles) as well as letting me pick their brains as I build out my own business, As ever.
The duchess Archetypes podcast about female stereotypes in 2022 ran for just one series, and was part of the Sussexes previous multimillion pound deal with Spotify, which ended the year after.
The new podcast has been created as part of a deal Meghan signed last year with Lemonada Media, which said listeners would hear unfiltered stories behind the successes of notable female founders.
It also said the series would also be sneaking a peek behind the curtain of Meghans own entrepreneurial journey launching As Ever.
A trailer for Meghans new podcast will be released on March 25 and the first of eight weekly episodes will be launched on April 8. added: We love Meghan. And Rinder said: Yeah. Have you seen it?
The duchess launched her lifestyle brand As Ever in tandem with her With Love, Meghan show. Her first products, which are not yet on sale, are a small selection of jams, herbal tea, ready-mix baking mixes and flower sprinkles.