Sue Perkins is a familiar face to British audiences, best known for co‑hosting The Great British Bake Off alongside Mel Giedroyc from 2010 to 2016. Since leaving the tent, she has built a solo career in documentary, travel, and live comedy, recently announcing her first tour in nearly two decades.
Perkins has also been open about personal matters, including a long‑term relationship with television presenter Anna Richardson and a benign brain tumour that affected her health and fertility. Here is what the available reporting reveals about her life, career, and current projects.
Who Is Sue Perkins? Biography and Career Overview
Susan Elizabeth Perkins
22 September 1969, London, England
The Great British Bake Off (co‑host 2010‑2016), comedian, writer
Anna Richardson (2013/14‑2021)
- Sue Perkins is a British broadcaster and comedian best known for co‑hosting The Great British Bake Off alongside Mel Giedroyc.
- She was in a long‑term relationship with TV presenter Anna Richardson from approximately 2013/14 until their reported split in 2021.
- Perkins publicly revealed in 2015 that she had been living with a benign pituitary tumour (prolactinoma) for about eight years, which she said was “extremely symptomatic”.
- In 2025‑2026, Perkins is touring with a live show titled The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins and appearing on the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 September 1969 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Education | Cambridge University (English) |
| Notable TV Credits | The Great British Bake Off, The Supersizers…, Insert Name Here, Who Do You Think You Are? |
| Partner | Anna Richardson (TV presenter; together 2013/14‑2021) |
| Children | None publicly confirmed |
| Health (confirmed) | Benign pituitary tumour (prolactinoma) diagnosed around 2007, openly discussed in 2015 |
| Recent Projects (2025‑2026) | Live tour The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins; Who Do You Think You Are? episode |
Who Is Sue Perkins’s Partner? Relationship Status and History
Perkins’s most widely reported relationship was with Anna Richardson, a television presenter known for shows such as Supersize vs Superskinny. The two were first linked around 2013 or 2014 and remained together for several years.
The Relationship with Anna Richardson
Multiple news outlets, including Hello! and Entertainment Daily, reported that Perkins and Richardson were a couple from approximately 2013/14. They described their bond as “magical”, and Perkins spoke about the relationship in interviews.
Are They Still Together?
According to reports from 2021, the couple split that year. Later coverage indicates they remained friends. There is no public evidence that Sue Perkins is currently married or in a new relationship.
While Perkins and Richardson were partners for several years, no reliable source confirms they were ever married, nor is there any official statement from either party about the exact timeline of their split.
What Is the Truth About Sue Perkins’s Brain Tumour?
This is not a rumour. In 2015, Perkins herself confirmed to the BBC that she had been living with a non‑cancerous pituitary tumour for about eight years. She described it as benign but “extremely symptomatic”.
The Diagnosis and Its Impact
Speaking on Desert Island Discs, Perkins said the tumour – a prolactinoma – affected her hormone levels and had a major emotional impact. She also revealed that her father had suffered from a terminal tumour, which shaped how she processed her own diagnosis.
Fertility
Perkins has repeatedly stated that the tumour affected her fertility and left her unable to have children. This was covered in the same BBC interview and echoed by Smooth Radio and GoodtoKnow.
The tumour is a prolactinoma, a benign growth of the pituitary gland. It is not cancerous, and Perkins has continued working throughout her treatment. She has not disclosed any recent changes to her condition.
What Is Sue Perkins Doing Now? 2025 and 2026 Projects
After leaving The Great British Bake Off, Perkins shifted towards documentary and live work. Recent announcements point to a busy schedule spanning television and stand‑up.
Live Tour: The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins
In 2026, Perkins embarked on her first tour in almost two decades. The show, titled The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins, toured in spring 2026 with additional dates later in the year, including a performance at Parr Hall in Warrington.
Television: Who Do You Think You Are?
Perkins appears in an episode of the BBC’s family‑history series Who Do You Think You Are?, available via SBS On Demand. The programme traces her ancestry, marking her continued presence in factual television.
Beyond touring and television, Perkins remains active on social media, often posting about her live shows. There is no public indication of a return to baking‑related programming.
Sue Perkins Career Timeline
- 1969 – Born in London.
- 1990s – Forms comedy duo “Mel and Sue” with Mel Giedroyc.
- 2000 – Begins TV presenting with Light Lunch.
- 2010 – Co‑hosts The Great British Bake Off (until 2016).
- 2013‑2014 – Starts relationship with Anna Richardson.
- 2015 – Publicly reveals benign pituitary tumour diagnosis.
- 2017 – Presents documentary Sue Perkins: Along the US‑Mexico Border.
- 2021 – Reports surface of split from Anna Richardson.
- 2023 – Netflix series Perfectly Legal released (though not confirmed in all sources).
- 2026 – First live tour in 20 years: The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Sue Perkins?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Perkins had a benign pituitary tumour (prolactinoma) diagnosed around 2007. | Whether the tumour has resolved or still requires management. |
| She and Anna Richardson were in a relationship from 2013/14 until 2021. | Whether Perkins is currently in a new relationship. |
| She has no children, due to the tumour’s effect on fertility. | Exact net worth – estimates vary widely. |
| She is touring in 2026 with a live comedy show. | Whether any new television series is in development. |
How Did Sue Perkins’s Career Evolve After Bake Off?
After she and Mel Giedroyc left The Great British Bake Off in 2016 when the show moved to Channel 4, Perkins expanded into factual and adventure programming. She presented documentaries on migration and travel, and later released the Netflix series Perfectly Legal, which follows a similar travel‑doc format. Her return to live comedy in 2026 marks another shift back to her roots in stand‑up.
The persistent public interest in her personal life – especially the brain tumour and her relationship – stems partly from her own openness. She has used interviews and podcasts to discuss these topics candidly, which has helped clarify misinformation.
What Do Official Sources Say About Sue Perkins?
“Susan Elizabeth Perkins (born 22 September 1969) is an English broadcaster, comedian, actress, singer and writer.”
“The quick fire, self‑deprecating comedy of Sue Perkins has made her a household name.”
“Writer, presenter and broadcaster, the hugely talented Sue Perkins has been a firm favourite on British television for nearly fifteen years.”
Sue Perkins: A Brief Overview
Sue Perkins remains one of Britain’s most recognisable television personalities. Her career has evolved from comedy duo partner to solo presenter, documentary host, and now live performer. While much of the public fascination centres on her health and past relationship, the facts available from credible sources paint a clear picture: she had a benign brain tumour that affected her fertility, she was in a long‑term partnership with Anna Richardson that ended in 2021, and she is currently active on stage and screen. For more on her Bake Off co‑star, see Paul Hollywood – Recipes, Cookbooks and Career Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sue Perkins
How old is Sue Perkins?
Sue Perkins was born on 22 September 1969, making her 55 years old as of 2025.
Is Sue Perkins married?
She was in a long‑term partnership with Anna Richardson, but no reliable source confirms they were married. The relationship ended in 2021.
Does Sue Perkins have children?
No. She has publicly stated that the pituitary tumour affected her fertility and left her unable to have children.
What is Sue Perkins doing now?
She is touring with a live show The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins and appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? in 2026.
Did Sue Perkins leave The Great British Bake Off?
Yes. She and Mel Giedroyc left the show in 2016 when it moved from BBC to Channel 4.
What is Sue Perkins’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but estimates range from £2‑4 million based on her television career.
Is Sue Perkins vegetarian?
She has described herself as a vegetarian in past interviews, but no recent confirmation is available.
Who is Sue Perkins’s partner?
Her known former partner is Anna Richardson, a TV presenter. They were together from around 2013/14 until 2021.
What is the brain tumour that Sue Perkins had?
It is a benign pituitary tumour called a prolactinoma. She revealed it in 2015, saying it was non‑cancerous but symptomatic.
Does Sue Perkins still perform with Mel Giedroyc?
They no longer work together on television, but both have said they remain friends. They have not announced a reunion.
For more on another comedian with a unique career path, see David Earl – Biography, Career, and Key Facts.
Sophie Kendall is Culture & Events Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering restaurants, nightlife, theatre, exhibitions, festivals and city life.