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Prue Leith Joins Scottish Parliament Event To Support Assisted Dying (Image: Getty)
Prue Leith has opened up about her views on assisted dying, revealing her fears not of death itself but of enduring pain and suffering at the end of life. The celebrated chef, restaurateur and television judge, known for her role on The Great British Bake Off, said she is frustrated with the way proposed legislation on assisted dying is being handled in the House of Lords. Speaking to Katherine Ryan on the What’s My Age Again? podcast, Prue stressed that, while she does not fear death, the prospect of not being allowed to die does frighten her. She said: “It doesn’t scare me at all; it absolutely doesn’t scare me. What would scare me is if you’re ill, in pain and unhappy—you ought to be allowed to die if you want to.”
Prue Leith, the renowned chef and beloved judge from The Great British Bake Off, has candidly shared her thoughts on assisted dying, emphasizing her concern not with death itself but with the potential for pain and suffering in her final days. During a conversation with Katherine Ryan on the What’s My Age Again? podcast, Leith expressed her frustration over the slow progress of proposed assisted dying legislation in the House of Lords. She stressed that while the concept of death doesn’t trouble her, the idea of being denied the right to die peacefully does. “The thought of being ill, in pain, and unhappy without the option to choose death is what truly scares me,” she remarked.
At 86, Prue is a vocal advocate for assisted dying and is closely monitoring a bill currently navigating through Parliament. She voiced her irritation at the legislative delays, commenting, “I dedicate a lot of time to promoting assisted dying, but the current bill is at risk of failure due to filibustering in the House of Lords.” Leith pointed out that the bill has already garnered substantial support in the House of Commons, indicating both public and parliamentary backing, yet encounters deliberate obstructions in the Lords.
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Dame Prue Leith Speaks At the Cambridge Union (Image: Getty)
“If a bill runs out of time because it hasn’t been properly debated, it automatically falls, and you then have to start again in the next Parliament and go right through the House of Commons,” she said. “It has already been through the House of Commons, which approved it and wants to see it made law.”
The TV star, who built her reputation with cookery schools, restaurants and television, has long been vocal on social issues, including healthcare and patients’ rights. Her candid remarks come as public debate intensifies over assisted dying legislation in the UK, with supporters arguing for the autonomy of terminally ill patients and opponents citing ethical concerns. Prue said her anger is aimed at a small group of Lords who, she says, are abusing parliamentary procedure.
“If a bill is not properly debated and time runs out, it automatically falls, necessitating a restart in the next Parliament,” she explained. “This bill has already been approved by the House of Commons, which is eager to see it become law.”
For Prue, the issue is deeply personal as well as political. Her emphasis is on the right of individuals to avoid prolonged suffering and to choose dignity in their final days. Prue described this tactic as “so undemocratic” and said it undermines the credibility of the Lords themselves.
Prue Leith (Image: Getty)
“And a lot of the Lords, even those who are opposed to assisted dying and don’t want the bill to succeed, totally disagree with what this little cabal of Lords is doing. They say that’s not what we’re meant to do. It’s not the right use of the Lords. It’s bringing the Lords into disrepute. It’s undemocratic. It means we can’t vote because it will run out of time. It’s disgraceful,” she added.
With her characteristic bluntness, the TV star made clear that her frustration is not with those opposed to assisted dying in principle, but with procedural tactics that prevent Parliament from voting on a bill supported by the elected House of Commons.
In January, Prue announced she was stepping down as a judge on Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off. The 86-year-old said she has “genuinely loved” working on the programme for the past nine series, having judged more than 400 challenges.
She has been a judge on the popular baking show alongside Paul Hollywood since 2017, when the series moved from the BBC to Channel 4.