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5 clusters · 23 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated

Nigella Lawson joining Great British Bake Off judging

Overview

Nigella Lawson has been announced as a new judge for the Channel 4 series ‘The Great British Bake Off’, succeeding Dame Prue Leith, who announced her departure in January after nine series. Lawson, 66, described the program as a ‘national treasure’ and noted the daunting task of following previous judges Mary Berry and Leith, stating she is ‘bubbling with excitement’ despite feeling ‘a bit nervous’ about the role.

Following the completion of filming, Channel 4 and Love Productions released first-look images and a trailer featuring the new lineup: Lawson, existing judge Paul Hollywood, and presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond. Outgoing judge Prue Leith endorsed the appointment, describing Lawson as ‘sassy, fun’ and noting that ‘she knows her onions.’

Following the filming of new episodes, reports emerged suggesting a feud between Lawson and Hollywood. Speculation claimed Lawson found Hollywood’s use of a helicopter to commute to Welford Park to be ‘rather cringe’ and ‘ghastly.’ Channel 4 executive Kiran Nataraja dismissed these rumors during a speech at the Edinburgh TV Festival, stating that the judges are not ‘arguing about helicopters the whole time.’

During a series launch event in London, Lawson and Hollywood addressed these rumors directly, presenting a united front alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Hollywood stated that Lawson ‘fitted in beautifully,’ while Lawson remarked that the group ‘all talked non-stop’ and gets on well together. The 17th series is scheduled to launch on Channel 4 on September 22.

For the upcoming 17th series, the program is introducing ‘Audience Choice Week,’ a feature allowing viewers to suggest signature, technical, or showstopper challenges. One such viewer-suggested theme involves bakers inviting friends or family into the tent to assist them. Additionally, the spin-off show ‘Extra Slice’ has been rebranded as ‘Second Helpings,’ featuring new presenters Judi Love and Jon Richardson.

Entities

Nigella Lawson · Channel 4 · Paul Hollywood · The Great British Bake Off · Alison Hammond

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Great British Bake Off announces new viewer-led challenges for 2026

    The Great British Bake Off 2026 will introduce ‘Audience Choice Week,’ allowing viewers to suggest challenges, alongside a new judging lineup featuring Nigella Lawson and a refreshed contestant roster.

  2. 6 days ago

    [CULTURE] 8 sources
    Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood deny Bake Off feud rumors

    Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood have dismissed rumors of a feud on The Great British Bake Off, appearing together at the series launch to affirm their positive working relationship.

  3. 17 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Channel 4 denies feud between Bake Off judges Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood

    Channel 4 has denied reports of tension between 'The Great British Bake Off' judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson regarding Hollywood’s use of a helicopter to travel to the set.

  4. 19 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Nigella Lawson to debut as judge on Great British Bake Off

    Nigella Lawson will join The Great British Bake Off as a new judge this September, replacing Dame Prue Leith in the upcoming Channel 4 series.

  5. 28 days ago

    [CULTURE] 7 sources
    Nigella Lawson joins The Great British Bake Off as new judge

    Nigella Lawson will join The Great British Bake Off as a judge, replacing Prue Leith. Filming has concluded for the new season, which is set to premiere on Channel 4 next month.

Sources

amigoearuba.com · bracknellnews.co.uk · braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cotswoldjournal.co.uk · dailymail.co.uk · denbighshirefreepress.co.uk · digitalspy.com · falmouthpacket.co.uk · hellomagazine.com · huffingtonpost.co.uk · independent.co.uk · metro.co.uk · pressassociation.com · rts.org.uk · Standard.co.uk · standard.co.uk · tellymix.co.uk · thecomet.net · tvinsider.com · tvzoneuk.com · watfordobserver.co.uk · webwire.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history