Prue Leith defends GBBO cultural appropriation accusations

Prue Leith, 82, has hit back at critics of The Great British Bake Off, who accused the Channel 4 show of ‘cultural appropriation’. It comes after the show had a ‘Mexican-themed’ week.The South-African restaurateur said there was ‘no intention to offend’.Some viewers accused the Channel 4 show of cultural appropriation after broadcasting an episode featuring challenges inspired by the North American country.The challenges in the show inspired by Mexico included sweet bread pan dulce, tacos and milk-soaked tres leches cake.During an interview with The New Yorker magazine, Dame Prue said: ‘There would have been absolutely no intention to offend.READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson left baffled over Britons fury after UK ‘nightmare’ Prue Leith defended GBBO (Image: BBC) Great British Bake Off is a Channel 4 show (Image: Channel 4) The show features Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood and Mel Giedroyc (Image: Channel 4) The show was accused by fans of cultural appropriation (Image: Channel 4)Noel commented he did not feel they should make Mexican jokes ‘because people will get upset’ before Lucas said playfully: ‘What, not even Juan?’Following the broadcast, some on social media were critical of the programme’s depiction of Mexican culture, claiming it was guilty of cultural appropriation.During the interview, Dame Prue also spoke about what she sees as the show’s positive impact.’Really, the whole phenomenon of Bake Off is, to me, absolutely extraordinary,’ she said.DON’T MISS…Strictly’s Tess Daly distracts viewers as fans call for ‘replacement’ [STRICTLY]Emily Atack flaunts her buxom bikini body in her sexiest snaps yet [PICS]Kurt Russell shows off slimmed down figure at food and wine event [HOLLYWOOD]’This is rather a cliche thing to say, but I do think that it is a force for good, most of the time.’Everything we do in life is a bit stressful, we are always short of time, we’re short of money, there are all sorts of horrible things happening all over the world.’And Bake Off is this safe space where the worst thing that can happen is somebody will drop their bake.’It’s not the first time the show has been accused of ‘cultural appropriation’.