Prue Leith, 80, says she has become 'more reckless' because she is 'near the end of her life'

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By BETHAN EDWARDS, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

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Prue Leith is taking life in her stride as she revealed on Tuesday that she has become 'more reckless' as she ages. 

The Bake Off star, 80, joked she is 'so near the end' that if something 'sounds like fun' she is happy to give it ago. 

And in September Prue did just that as she ditched her colourful outfits and glasses for a striking PVC look as she walked the Vin + Omi show during London Fashion Week.

Speaking about ditching the kitchen and trying something new, she told Heat magazine: 'Because I'm so near the end, I'm a bit more reckless now. What's the worst that can happen? 

'If I was about to get a job on Bake Off I probably wouldn't walk down a catwalk in Latex with goth makeup on, but now it's too late. If I want to do it and it sounds like good fun I just think, why not?' 

Prue Leith is taking life in her stride as she revealed on Tuesday that she has become 'more reckless' with her life decisions as she ages

Prue Leith is taking life in her stride as she revealed on Tuesday that she has become 'more reckless' with her life decisions as she ages

The Bake Off star, 80, joked she is 'so near the end' that if something 'sounds like fun' she is happy to give it ago

The Bake Off star, 80, joked she is 'so near the end' that if something 'sounds like fun' she is happy to give it ago

And in September, Prue did just that as she ditched her colourful outfits and glasses for a striking PVC look as she walked the Vin + Omi show during London Fashion Week

And in September, Prue did just that as she ditched her colourful outfits and glasses for a striking PVC look as she walked the Vin + Omi show during London Fashion Week

Prue looked incredible in black raunchy red lace up dress which she teamed with black leather trainers and matching leather gloves. 

The star rocked an intense smoky eye makeup and a bold red lip as she strutted her stuff down the runway.

Prue also revealed that she can no longer do gardening in her free time as she is getting 'old' and finds it 'too tiring'.  

She said: 'I used to do a lot of gardening but I don't do as much now, I'm more likely to fall over because I'm old and get too tired. 

Prue is currently back on screens with Paul Hollywood starring in the fifteenth series of The Great British Bake Off. 

Earlier this year Prue admitted that she almost didn't apply to replace Mary Berry on the much loved show as she feared she wouldn't tick the 'diversity boxes'.

The star has been a judge on the cooking competition since she replaced Mary in 2016.

However, this very nearly wasn't the case as Prue reveals she initially completely dismissed the idea.

Speaking about ditching the kitchen and trying something new, she said: 'Because I'm so near the end, I'm a bit more reckless now. What's the worst that can happen? If I want to do it and it sounds like good fun I just think, why not?'

Speaking about ditching the kitchen and trying something new, she said: 'Because I'm so near the end, I'm a bit more reckless now. What's the worst that can happen? If I want to do it and it sounds like good fun I just think, why not?'

She is normally known for her colourful ensembles, bold prints and the quirky glasses she styles each week on The Great British Bake Off

She is normally known for her colourful ensembles, bold prints and the quirky glasses she styles each week on The Great British Bake Off

Prue also revealed that she can no longer do gardening in her free time as she is getting 'old' and finds it 'too tiring'

Prue also revealed that she can no longer do gardening in her free time as she is getting 'old' and finds it 'too tiring'

It was revealed that the women had known each other since the 1970s when a photo of them with broadcaster Jack de Manio (1914-1988) was unearthed.

Prue told the Sliding Doors podcast with Jennie Becker: 'I just jumped at it. I had begun to think about it, once I knew Mary Berry was not going to go on. I thought: "Oh, I’d love that job", but I dismissed the thought.

'I thought: "They’ll get someone younger, someone more . . . probably a young Asian chef or something, that would tick all the diversity boxes and stuff’. But no, they chose me." 

'If you think about my past career, I’d had 11 years sitting at the Great British Menu as a judge and every plate has about ten tastes on it - it makes Bake Off look really simple.

'With cake, with one spoonful, you can get the icing, the filling and the crumb. I knew all the top chefs, I had a Michelin restaurant of my own so I knew that level of cooking very well.' 

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