Nigella Lawson Joins Bake Off As New Judge

In a move that has sent ripples of excitement through the British television landscape, Channel 4 confirmed on January 26, 2026, that Nigella Lawson will step into the iconic role of judge on The Great British Bake Off, replacing Dame Prue Leith. The announcement marks a significant moment for the beloved baking competition, which has become a staple of UK television and a global phenomenon, streaming to American audiences as The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.

Lawson, known for her warm, accessible approach to food and her bestselling cookbooks, will join the ever-present Paul Hollywood in the Bake Off tent. The duo will preside over the next generation of amateur bakers, while fan-favorite hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding continue to bring their signature blend of humor and empathy to the proceedings. Channel 4’s decision was confirmed across major outlets including BBC News, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter, all highlighting the cultural significance of Lawson’s appointment.

Prue Leith, who has judged the show since 2017—when it famously moved from the BBC to Channel 4—announced her departure last week. After nearly a decade and more than 400 judged challenges, Leith cited her desire to spend more time with family and enjoy her garden as key reasons for stepping down at age 86. In her own words, shared via Instagram and reported by The Independent, Leith said, “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 and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4. But 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.”

Lawson’s appointment was met with enthusiasm from Channel 4, with chief content officer Ian Katz describing the pairing as “the marriage of two great British icons: Bake Off and Nigella.” Katz also paid tribute to Leith’s legacy, stating, “Prue Leith has been a joyous presence in the tent, pairing absolute culinary authority with great generosity and empathy for the bakers. We are grateful for her passion, her wit, her ineffable style, and all the summers she spent in the tent. She leaves an indelible mark on the show and all its bakers.”

For Lawson, the honor of joining The Great British Bake Off is both thrilling and humbling. In a statement posted to the show’s official Instagram and widely quoted across outlets, she said, “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. 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.”

Leith herself has given Lawson her blessing, telling BBC News, “She’s sassy, fun and she knows her onions—and her croissants, cake and crumble.” That sense of approval is echoed in the broader Bake Off community, with many viewers expressing excitement at the prospect of Lawson’s signature style—her gentle encouragement, wit, and unmistakable love for food—gracing the tent.

Lawson’s culinary pedigree is well established. She began her television career with Channel 4’s Nigella Bites in 1999, a show that quickly cemented her as a household name. Since then, she’s authored bestselling cookbooks such as How to Eat and How to Be a Domestic Goddess, and hosted a string of popular cooking shows including Nigella Feasts and Nigella Express. Her expertise isn’t limited to the UK, either; she’s appeared as a judge on major international food competitions like Top Chef, MasterChef Australia, The Taste (on ABC), MasterChef U.S., and My Kitchen Rules. Her recent television work has taken her to Australia, where she’s become a familiar face to fans of culinary contests.

The Bake Off’s enduring popularity is evident in its numbers. According to Deadline, the best-performing episode of Season 16 drew 8.7 million viewers, placing it among the top 10 UK television shows of 2025. Its appeal lies not just in the drama of competition, but in the warmth and camaraderie that infuses each episode—a quality both Leith and Lawson are known for nurturing.

Lawson’s arrival also comes at a time when some critics, like The Guardian’s Stuart Heritage, have argued that the show has “lost its way” and become “slightly long in the tooth over the last half decade or so.” Heritage suggests that Lawson’s presence could revitalize the format, writing, “She is spectacularly British, and manages to balance the sort of familiarity that will reassure existing viewers with a level of international first-name recognition that might even end up growing the audience.”

For viewers, the transition from Leith to Lawson carries a sense of continuity as well as renewal. Leith herself faced the daunting task of replacing Mary Berry when the show made its high-profile move from the BBC in 2017. Despite initial nerves—including an infamous blunder in her first year, when she accidentally revealed the winner before the finale aired—Leith quickly endeared herself to fans with her kindhearted critiques and distinctive style. She even revealed in 2024 that she had once considered quitting due to the show’s demanding filming schedule, but chose to stay after production changes allowed her more time with family.

As The Great British Bake Off prepares for its 17th series later in 2026, all eyes will be on the new judging duo of Lawson and Hollywood, alongside the ever-entertaining Hammond and Fielding. Channel 4, for its part, is betting that Lawson’s blend of culinary authority, warmth, and wit will help the show continue to thrive—both in the UK and abroad.

With Lawson at the helm, the Bake Off tent looks set for another chapter of flour-dusted drama, laughter, and—of course—plenty of cake. For fans old and new, the promise of seeing Nigella Lawson savoring a contestant’s showstopper is almost as sweet as the bakes themselves.