Nigella Lawson is stepping in as the new judge on The Great British Bake Off. She’s taking over from Prue Leith, who decided to leave after nine seasons to enjoy her garden more. At 86, she felt it was time to pass the torch.
Nigella will be part of the show’s upcoming 17th season, joining Paul Hollywood, who’s been a judge since the show began on BBC Two in 2010. Lawson expressed her excitement about the role, telling fans, “I’m a bit lost for words right now! Following Prue and Mary Berry is daunting, but I’m bubbling with excitement. This show isn’t just a program; it’s a national treasure.”
Leith supports this change, saying, “I’m thrilled that Nigella is taking over. She’s fun, sassy, and knows her stuff—from croissants to cake.”
Though Lawson has been quieter on British screens recently, she made a splash in Australia, appearing as a judge on My Kitchen Rules and guest judging on their version of MasterChef. Her last UK series, Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat, aired in 2020.
The Great British Bake Off has seen fluctuating ratings since moving to Channel 4. At its peak on BBC One, it attracted about 10 million viewers on average. Since then, viewership has declined yearly—except for a slight rise in 2025, which brought in 7.26 million for the first episode of season 16. Despite this, the show remains popular.
Channel 4’s Ian Katz said, “We’re beyond excited about this collaboration of two British icons. This summer’s series is sure to be mouthwatering!”
As for social media, fans are buzzing about this change, with many praising Nigella’s passion for food. Experts noted her charm could bring new energy to the show, attracting both loyal viewers and new fans alike.
For more on how Nigella plans to revamp the show, check out this article from The Guardian.
