Dame Prue Leith, the beloved star of *The Great British Bake Off*, 

has revealed that despite the BBC’s eagerness to have her join the popular dance show *Strictly Come Dancing*, 

she has been discouraged from taking part by her family and close friends. 

The 85-year-old chef, who has charmed audiences for years with her wit and warmth, 

confessed that while she enjoys new challenges, the people closest to her are concerned about the physical risks involved.

BBC bosses have reportedly set their sights on Prue for the 2025 series, with sources close to the show saying they are working hard to put together a “big money offer” to convince her to step onto the *Strictly* dance floor. 

These sources indicate that *Strictly* executives are particularly keen to sign Prue, believing she could be a valuable addition to the celebrity lineup. Given Prue’s long-standing appeal, the show’s producers see her as a potential fan favourite, much like previous stars such as Debbie McGee and Angela Rippon, who both became immensely popular after appearing on the show.

However, while *Strictly Come Dancing* is known for its exciting mix of famous faces, including a growing emphasis on diversity in recent years, Prue’s reluctance to sign up comes from the concerns raised by her family. As she explained in an interview, her loved ones have been clear in advising her to steer clear of such physically demanding activities. “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!’” Prue revealed. She added that her agent had similar reservations about her participation in *Strictly*, though more politely put.

Prue’s family is not the only group urging caution. The star herself acknowledged that her age makes the prospect of participating in shows like *Strictly* more daunting. “Occasionally, wiser heads have dissuaded me from challenges,” Prue admitted, noting that the physical risks, including the possibility of injury, have made her hesitate. She pointed out that, while her family’s concerns are well-meaning, they have consistently intervened whenever she’s considered taking on such challenges.

Despite this, it seems the BBC isn’t willing to give up without a fight. A source close to *Strictly Come Dancing* said that the show’s bosses are particularly eager to bring in older contestants to appeal to their older viewers. Following the success of participants like Chris McCausland, a comedian who appeared on the show in 2022, the network is keen to feature more mature celebrities in upcoming seasons. Prue, with her established presence on British television and her endearing personality, would be a perfect fit for this evolving vision of *Strictly*.

Although Prue’s family has managed to keep her away from certain high-risk shows, she did manage to pull off a surprising secret appearance earlier this year. In a twist that caught many fans off guard, Prue joined the lineup for *The Masked Singer*—a show that, unlike *Strictly*, involves less physical exertion but still requires the performer to step outside their comfort zone. The best part? Her family had no idea she was involved, as she kept it a secret from them.

“I agreed to *The Masked Singer* without any challenges from my family, mainly because they didn’t know about it,” she admitted, hinting at her cheeky side. This spontaneous move showed that while she might be hesitant to tackle *Strictly*, Prue still has an adventurous streak and a sense of fun that makes her one of the most entertaining figures on television today.

Although Prue’s appearance on *Strictly Come Dancing* seems unlikely for now, it’s clear that the BBC has not given up hope of signing her for future seasons. As she continues to be a beloved television personality, Prue may one day take on the dance floor challenge. Until then, her fans will have to be content with enjoying her in her current role as the ever-charismatic judge on *The Great British Bake Off*.

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