NEED TO KNOW
Nigella Lawson is honest about her nerves entering the tent of the Great British Baking Show.
The celebrity chef, 66, was announced as the new co-judge of the The Great British Baking Show (known as The Great British Bake-Off in the U.K.) on Monday, Jan. 26, just days after Prue Leith announced her departure from the show.
Lawson joined co-hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning, a British daytime talk show, on Thursday, Jan. 29, to talk about the new venture. When addressing how she has “big shoes to fill,” the cookbook author admitted to her nervousness.
“I am a teeny bit frightened. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that,” the TV star said, explaining that she is “excited” but taking it “very seriously.” “The thing about Bake Off [is] it’s about the program which is an institution of national treasure status. And it’s about the bakers, and I just want to be there and be part of it.”
“I think one of the reasons why Bake Off has been so enduringly popular, is that it feels like it’s about community. And I guess we just all need that,” Lawson explained.
Shephard asked the celebrity chef, “How are you feeling about the proposition of being in the tent and being in front of all those incredible bakers that are so desperate to impress you, Nigella?”
“Well, I am the clumsiest person in the world, you know? So as long as I don’t knock any of their cakes off a table and the stand,” she laughed.
When it comes to how she will be as a judge, Lawson admitted that she doesn’t search for negatives: “I feel that I’m not someone who looks for fault, I look for pleasure,” she said. “I can’t say it’s a philosophy, but my basic attitude in life.”
Lawson felt confident that her love of food will lead her judging style, saying, “You know, Paul Hollywood is Mr. Technical. I’m all about the eating. You know, if I see my job is eating, I feel it’s not too daunting. I can eat.”
The 86-year-old dame announced that her ninth season, collection 13, which aired in 2025 was her last in early 2026. In her Instagram announcement, Leith said that it feels like “the right time” for her to step away, noting, “I’m 86 for goodness sake!”
Lawson will be joining Hollywood, who has been a mainstay since the very beginning, and humorous hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond.
