Nigella Lawson Speaks Out After Being Confirmed As New Great British Bake Off Judge

Nigella Lawson has been announced as the newest addition to the Great British Bake Off judging team.

Last week, Nigella was heavily rumoured to be taking over as Paul Hollywood’s co-judge following the departure of Dame Prue Leith, who shared recently she was stepping down from the role after almost a decade.

On Monday afternoon, it was confirmed that Nigella would be entering the Bake Off tent and offering her critiques and advice when the show returns to our screens in the summer.

“I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now!” she enthused. “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.”

She continued: “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 had been part of the Bake Off family since the show made the jump to Channel 4 in 2017, taking over as a judge from OG Bake Off staple Mary Berry.

Announcing her departure earlier this month, Dame Prue said in a statement: “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it and I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison [Hammond] and Noel [Fielding] and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4.”

She continued: “Now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden.

“Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”

Bake Off will be back for its 17th series in the summer, with Paul and Nigella being joined by returning presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.