Bake Off star Prue Leith 'rescued by angry fisherman' after floating adrift off the coast of Italy for a whole day

16 December 2022, 21:55

Prue Leith was rescued in Sardinia
Prue Leith was rescued in Sardinia. Picture: Getty/Alamy

By Kit Heren

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith has said she was stuck in a boat off the coast of Italy for a whole day before being rescued by an angry fisherman.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ms Leith, 82, was on a motorboat off the coast of the Italian island of Sardinia when her engine broke down, the Mirror reported.

She tried to flag people down for help, but said they thought she was just giving them a friendly wave.

Ms Leith said: "I couldn’t start it and the wind was getting up. I thought, ‘This has the makings of a really bad novel’.

"To make matters worse, her panicky attempts to get help were misinterpreted.

Prue Leith
Prue Leith. Picture: Getty

She said: “People would pass, not close enough to shout to them but close enough to wave and I’d be waving wildly and they just waved back, thinking I was just being friendly.”

Read more: Prue Leith admits she drowned a bag of kittens when she was a child

Read more: Bake Off's Prue Leith shares 'appalling' experience on acid and going to an orgy

Eventually a Sardinian fisherman came to her rescue - but did not give her an easy ride on the way back to shore.

Ms Leith said: “He was so angry with me.

Prue Leith Tells James O'Brien About Growing Up In Apartheid South Africa

"He said, ‘You tourists, you risk your lives. You could have drifted all the way to Corsica!’“And he just gave me absolutely blazes. And there was I... sunburnt.

“I was thirsty, I’d had a whole day of absolute misery. But he was quite right and I was very foolish.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

King Charles attending the Royal Film Performance and Global Premiere of "Gladiator II"

King Charles walks red carpet alone as he appears without Queen Camilla at Gladiator II premiere

Focused businessman working at laptop in highrise office, London, UK

Civil servants call for four-day week, saying move is 'critical to attaining a good quality of life'

ed

Fireworks linked to death of baby red panda who died from 'stress' on Bonfire Night

Guests Appear On The Laura Keunssberg Show

Chancellor to merge council pension pots into 'megafunds' to unlock investment cash

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump and Biden 'both really enjoyed seeing each other', claims President-elect after historic meeting at White House

Louise Thompson

Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson breaks silence following emergency surgery after septic shock

President Trump Speaks at America First Agenda Summit

Who has Trump picked to be in his cabinet so far and who is in the running?

The Sun's Who Cares Wins Awards 2021 - Red Carpet Arrivals

Rod Stewart say he 'may have to find new owners' for his five sports cars due to potholes near his home

Council tax bills will soar by more than £100 next year Downing Street confirms

Council tax bills to soar by more than £100 next year Downing Street confirms

Producer and songwriter Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91

Quincy Jones cause of death revealed following music titan's death aged 91

Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham

Moment locals explode in fury as they are told migrants will get 'free private healthcare' at public meeting

Police tape surrounds a ride at the Funderpark in Yiewsley, London

Mum-of-eight hurled from fairground ride and sent into coma agrees to £1.43m settlement after High Court battle with owner

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In West Palm Beach

Donald Trump's grip on power tightens as Republican Party wins majority of seats in House of Representatives

Two women - who were part of a global monkey torture network - have been jailed

Two women jailed after being part of 'sickening and sadistic' monkey torture network

Wes Streeting

Health Secretary Wes Streeting orders staff to look into costs of introducing assisted dying

'Del Boy billionaire’ saves DIY chain Homebase from collapse rescuing 70 UK stores

'Del Boy billionaire’ saves DIY chain Homebase from collapse rescuing 70 UK stores