Prue Leith is relieved Alison Hammond has joined 'The Great British Bake Off' because she doesn't "get" the jokes of her male co-stars.

Prue Leith is pleased to have Alison Hammond on board

Prue Leith is pleased to have Alison Hammond on board

The 'This Morning' presenter has replaced Matt Lucas as host of the programme alongside Noel Fielding and the 83-year-old chef - who judges the contestants alongside Paul Hollywood - is happy to have more female company.

Speaking at the Kite Festival, Prue said: “I’m just glad to have another woman there because I’ll tell you what, those three men together, half the time I didn’t get the jokes because I never get innuendos.

“A word like sausage would set them off.

“Alison’s attitude is just so positive. There’s a lot of laughing with her. She’s learning a lot.”

The culinary expert revealed they will film the show's Christmas special in July, "in a heatwave in a festive jumper".

She added: “Then we have all the Stand Up 4 Cancer ones, Paul and I do American 'Bake Off' so I pretty much eat cake until the end of August.”

And Prue revealed the cast have been learning sign language so they could communicate with the show's first deaf contestant, but she's struggling to get to grips with it.

She said: "I’m not very good at the sign language, but Paul is.”

Filming began on the show last month and producers are determined for the unnamed contestant not to feel isolated.

A source told the Sun on Sunday newspaper:“Production is working really hard to make the contestant feel included and the stars wanted to make an effort to learn sign language on the show by getting a teacher.

"They’re all having a go and making headway with basic communication skills, bosses are really pleased everyone has been keen to join in.”

In 2019, 'Bake Off: The Professionals' contestants included deaf pastry chef Sam Widnall, who communicated with his colleague Adam Cleal via a note-writing system.