Prue Leith says UK is 'the most unbelievably class-ridden country' and she 'can't bear' her 'posh' voice

‘I think it’s true that, generally, educated people have a better life,’ says restaurateur

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Prue Leith has called the UK “the most unbelievably class-ridden country” in a new interview.

Speaking to Radio Times, the Great British Bake Off judge recalled how shocked she was to learn about the British class divides upon moving from South Africa to England.

“In South Africa there’s a racial divide, and that was terrible,” Leith told the publication.

“But when I came to England, I couldn’t believe the gradations of class.

“People were looked down on for saying ‘toilet’.”

The 80-year-old added that in the UK there is a “nervousness about stepping out of your class”.

She continued: ”I remember people saying, ‘You shouldn’t have ideas above your station’. You bloody well should!”

Leith went on to say how she “can’t bear” her own voice because she finds her accent “posh”.

The TV judge also said that she thinks the class divide in the UK extends to how people eat.

“I think it’s true that, generally, educated people have a better life because they know more stuff and they know how to do things,” she said before adding that she never buys ready meals or takeaways.

“I can make a really cheap meal with cabbage, bacon, onion and garlic,” Leith continued.

“The people who most need to feed their children nutritiously and cheaply because they haven’t got much money are the ones that have the least education about cooking and food.”