Rachel McAdams, it turns out, was just as shocked as the rest of us to learn that Dame Prue Leith is leaving The Great British Bake Off.
The 85-year-old chef has been a staple of the Channel 4 show for almost a decade, but last month announced she would be stepping down as a judge.
Since then, her replacement has been confirmed as TV chef icon Nigella Lawson.
But the Mean Girls star, 47, was none the wiser during an appearance on BBC Radio 2 on Monday, to promote her new thriller Send Help.
Speaking to Scott Mills, McAdams admitted she’s a fan of Bake Off, which is called The Great British Baking Show in the US due to a Pillsbury trademark on ‘Bake Off’. She said she’s also partial to the children’s version, describing it as ‘soothing’.
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Speaking about Junior Bake Off, she said: ‘Harry Hill’s just so funny. He cracks me up. I try to be like Harry Hill with my kids. Like, what would Harry Hill do in this moment?’
Mills then questioned: ‘That means you know people like Prue Leith,’ to which McAdams simply replied: ‘Of course.’
The DJ then brought up the recent news that Leith is leaving, eliciting an immediate gasp from McAdams, who was unaware of her exit.
He then brought up the Nigella news, promising: ‘You’re going to love Nigella! The new Prue.’
‘You could never replace Prue, but if you had to try…’ replied McAdams, to Mills’ visible delight.
Lawson announced that she is ‘bubbling with excitement’ ahead of stepping into the famed white tent with part-of-the-furniture judge Paul Hollywood, as well as hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
The 66-year-old said in a statement: ‘I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now.
‘I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come. I wish the marvellous Prue all the best and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!’
Dame Prue has also given Nigella her backing, declaring that she is ‘thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off’.
‘She’s sassy, fun, and she knows her onions — and her croissants, cake, and crumble,’ added the 85-year-old broadcaster.
The Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Scott Mills airs weekdays from 6.30 to 9:30am.
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