The TV cook and food writer replaces Prue Leith, who has stepped down after nine seasons on the show
Nigella Lawson has been announced as the new judge on The Great British Bake Off. She replaces Prue Leith, who stepped down after nine seasons of judging contestants’ culinary creations, so she could spend summers enjoying her garden, explaining: “I’m 86 for goodness sake!”
Lawson will join the programme for its next series, the 17th, which will launch later this year. She will serve alongside Paul Hollywood, who will continue in the role he has held since the baking competition launched on BBC Two in 2010.
Lawson says: “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.”
Leith says: “I’m thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off. She’s sassy, fun and she knows her onions – and her croissants, cake and crumble.”
