Nigella Lawson joins Bake Off as Prue Leith steps away
Nigella Lawson has been confirmed as the new judge on The Great British Bake Off, taking over from Dame Prue Leith when the show returns later this year.
Channel 4 announced Lawson will join long-standing judge Paul Hollywood in the famous tent for the programme’s 17th series, alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Dame Prue, who has judged the competition since 2017, revealed last week that she was leaving the show, saying: "Now feels like the right time to step back" and joking elsewhere: “I’m 86, for goodness sake!”
Lawson said she was both nervous and excited about stepping into a role previously held by Mary Berry and Prue Leith. In her statement, she said: "I'm uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now. Of course it's daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I'm also bubbling with excitement. The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it's a National Treasure – and it's a huge honour to be entrusted with it. I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!"
Dame Prue welcomed the choice, saying: "She's sassy, fun and she knows her onions - and her croissants, cake and crumble."
Lawson is one of the most recognisable names in food television, with more than eight million cookbooks sold and a string of popular TV shows to her name. She has also judged several cooking competitions, including MasterChef Australia and The Taste, and has appeared regularly on Australian television in recent years. She has a long history with Channel 4, where her first series Nigella Bites aired, and where she previously judged The Taste alongside Anthony Bourdain and Ludo Lefebvre.
Channel 4’s controller Ian Katz said the broadcaster was "incredibly excited about the marriage of two great British icons: Bake Off and Nigella", adding that the upcoming series promises to be a treat for viewers.
Lawson joins the show at a time when viewing figures have dipped from their BBC highs, though Bake Off remains one of Channel 4’s biggest hits. Some critics believe her arrival could give the long-running series fresh energy, with one commentator suggesting she could bring “a shot in the arm” to the format.
The new series of The Great British Bake Off is set to air later this year.
