Dame Prue Leith addressed societal attitudes toward ageing during her appearance at the 2026 Henley Literary Festival. The 86-year-old former Great British Bake Off judge spoke in connection with her book, *Being Old...and Learning to Love It!*, which was published earlier this year.

Leith said she wrote the book to challenge the negative perceptions frequently associated with getting older. She expressed frustration with the common narrative that old age is inherently miserable, describing it as excessive complaining. “I got sick of hearing people saying, ‘Isn’t old age terrible?’ It’s just moaning about old age,” she said.

During the discussion, Leith emphasised the importance of embracing later life and rejecting the stigma that often surrounds ageing. Her book draws on her personal experiences, reflecting a more positive approach to growing older while acknowledging the challenges it can bring.

The event highlighted broader conversations about the need to change societal views on ageing, encouraging greater respect and understanding for older adults. Leith’s remarks contribute to a growing dialogue around redefining what it means to age in contemporary society.