Honorary Warwick Graduate is in the running to be the new GBBO co-host

Caterer, broadcaster, writer and food journalist Prue Leith CBE is in the running to be the new presenter for series eight of The Great British Bake-Off on Channel 4 later this year.

Leith received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Warwick University in 2014 and is a veteran of the culinary world having served as chair of the School Food Trust. She also has television presenting experience from her role as a judge on BBC’s Great British Menu.

The restaurateur has been put forward to succeed Mary Berry and join Paul Hollywood as a judge on the popular British show. Bosses for the baking reality show allegedly see Leith as a “like for like” replacement for Berry. A representative for Leith has confirmed that she has been part of the selection process for the new Bake Off series moving to Channel 4.

A spokesman said: “At this point Channel 4 and Love Productions have not yet confirmed their final line up.”

Mrs Leith ran a Michelin-starred restaurant and founded her own cookery college, Leith’s School of Food and Wine in 1975. She launched a college in South Africa after selling her restaurant and business in the mid 1990s.

The achieved newspaper columnist was awarded as Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1989 and a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2010 before receiving her honorary degree from the University.

Leith has said to the BBC: “I think I’m close but I know there are two people in the running.”

The Great British Bake-Off was originally on BBC One until its last viewing of series seven in October last year. The penultimate show was watched by more than 10 million viewers.