'Sometimes I don't realise that I'm 84'

Bake Off's Prue Leith on strutting her stuff on the catwalk, feeling young at heart and Paul Hollywood being cheeky

- SARAH ROBERTSON

It's hard to believe TV presenter Dame Prue Leith is 84-not many octogenarians have her youthful energy and zest for life. She positively bounces into The Other House hotel in London, full of the joys of spring with a twinkle in her eye, wearing a vibrant, colourful ensemble by designers VIN + OMI, which matches her upbeat mood.

She's about to take to the catwalk for VIN + OMI's fashion show and, taking a quick break between rehearsals to chat to new, Prue reveals she's excited about modelling in the show, but admits to worrying about getting lost on the catwalk.

She modelled many years back, she tells us, so this isn't her first go. But her last attempt led to a bit of an accident, which she hopes doesn't repeat itself.

It's clear Prue is really passionate about life and is still looking forward to having new and exciting adventures, even though she's in her eighties.

The cook-turned-novelist is one of our leading experts on all things culinary and replaced Dame Mary Berry as a judge on The Great British Bake Off in 2017, where she has amassed a strong fan following.

Prue and her fellow judge Paul Hollywood, 58, go together like jam and cream, and make the Channel 4 show the hit that it is, although as we chat to Prue about modelling and more, it sounds like Paul may need to do some work on his manners...

Hi Prue, you look fabulous. What made you decide to model for VIN + OMI in their fashion show?