Laughter & tiers!

Judge Prue Leith on what to expect in the grand final and the secret of Bake Off 2020’s success

- Caren Clark

The latest run of The Great British Bake Off has been one of the most memorable in the show’s decade-long history. While our favourite baking show has always been an absolute delight, this year, it has also provided a much-needed dose of warmth and wit in difficult times.

Now, after 10 weeks of caged tarts, celebrity cake busts and a pesky heatwave that made baking in the famous tent even more challenging, it’s crunch time as the three remaining bakers give it their all in the grand final in a bid to impress eagle-eyed judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, and be crowned the 2020 champion.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Prue, 80, chats to TV Times about what we can expect, plus, overleaf, delivers her verdict on the four semi-finalists…

What can you tell us about the final?

Well, it’s always the most difficult episode to film because the bakers are concentrating so much. They want to get on with the bake rather than chat with hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding!

What challenges did you set?

We can’t reveal the Technical but the Showstopper was a dessert tower and the Signature’s a custard slice because Paul likes traditional bakes. It’s an English version of a millefeuille with custard. The trick is to bake the pastry crispy, so that the custard doesn’t soak in. It mustn’t be undercooked and leathery!

How hard was the final to judge?