Prue Leith: 'You come into your own growing old'
By BBC Radio Gloucestershire
Dame Prue Leith shares her thoughts on growing old, reflecting on her own experiences and challenging the notion that ageing is a dreaded process. She will be discussing her perspectives at the Cheltenham Literature Festival later this year.
"When you're old, you don't give a toss what anyone thinks, really, so you feel very free. You can have a snooze in the afternoon, and nobody thinks that's odd."
The 86-year-old former Bake Off judge reminisces about her teenage years, describing them as "stressful" due to her rebellious nature and lack of self-belief. However, she contrasts this with her current view of old age, finding it "unstressful" and liberating.
"I was always bringing the wrong boys home, and I was quarrelling with my parents, and I didn't know what I wanted to do," she recalls. "I was sort of lost and didn't believe in myself at all... I wanted a boyfriend, couldn't get one."
The Cheltenham Literature Festival
Dame Prue will join Gyles Brandreth and Kathy Lette on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on 15 October to challenge the stereotype that ageing is something to be feared.
This will not be her first appearance at the festival, which launched in 1949. She previously took part in 2018 and, outside of her career, considers herself a local, enjoying the beauty of the Cotswolds.
"I love Cheltenham; I often go even if I'm not doing anything, but it's a great festival," she says.
Prue Leith's Cotswolds Kitchen
On screen, Prue Leith showcases her nearby home in Prue Leith's Cotswolds Kitchen, which provides an outlet for her "bossy" nature. She shares, "It's filmed in our house, so that's even better. It's a great house, and I'm very happy here; I'm in the middle of the Cotswolds."
Growing Old Disgracefully will be held at The Times and Sunday Times Forum on 15 October at 13:00.