Nigella Lawson has taken over as judge on The Great British Bake Off after Prue Leith left the hit series.
The TV chef and food writer will join presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding to score contestants’ baking creations on the next season of Channel 4’s baking competition with Paul Hollywood.
In a statement posted on the show’s official Instagram account, Lawson said, “These are unusual times, and I am at a loss for words.” “Of course, it’s daunting to follow in the footsteps of the great women Prue Leith and Mary Berry, but I’m also buzzing with excitement.”
Mr Lawson added: “The Great British Bake Off is more than just a TV show, it’s a national treasure and it’s a huge honor to be given the role. I’m so excited to be joining the team and our new batch of bakers. I wish the amazing Prue all the best and I’m giddy and grateful for this opportunity!”
Reese announced last week that she would be stepping down from the series after nearly 10 years as a judge. “Bake Off has been a wonderful part of my life for the last nine years and I love it dearly. I will certainly miss working with my fellow judges Paul, Alison and Noel, and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4,” she said. “But now it feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86!). There’s so much I want to do, especially in the summer I want to enjoy my garden. Whoever joins the team, I know they’ll love this team as much as I do. I feel very lucky to be a part of it.”
Rees confirmed Lawson’s appointment, saying (via BBC News): “She’s cheeky, she’s fun and she knows onions and croissants and cakes and crumbles.”
Lawson is best known for her cookbooks, including the best-selling How to Eat and How to Be a Dome Goddess, and her cooking shows Nigella Bites, Nigella Feasts and Nigella Express. She is also familiar as a judge on competition series, having appeared on “Top Chef,” “MasterChef Australia,” “The Taste,” “MasterChef US,” and “My Kitchen Rules.”
