Nigella Lawson Joins ‘The Great British Bake Off’ as New Judge

Riley Calderon

Published: January 26, 2026 4:03 PM ET

Nigella Lawson Joins ‘The Great British Bake Off’ as New Judge

Nigella Lawson is set to join the panel as a judge on ‘The Great British Bake Off.’ She replaces Prue Leith, who recently announced her departure from the show. Lawson brings decades of British cooking experience and a flair for sumptuous recipes to the iconic series.

Nigella Lawson Takes the Helm as New Judge

In a heartfelt statement, Nigella expressed her excitement about joining the beloved cooking competition. “I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now,” she admitted. Lawson acknowledged the challenge of stepping into Prue Leith’s shoes, praising both Leith and former judge Mary Berry as “great dames.”

“The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme; it’s a national treasure,” Lawson added. She conveyed her honor in being part of such an esteemed show and extended her best wishes to Leith.

Background on Prue Leith and Mary Berry

Prue Leith has been a judge on ‘The Great British Bake Off’ since 2017. She took over the role after the series transitioned from the BBC to Channel 4 in the UK. Leith succeeded Mary Berry, who was one of the original judges when the show debuted in 2010.

Show Performance and Viewer Statistics

The cooking competition continues to be a viewer favorite. The highest-rated episode of Season 16 attracted 8.7 million viewers, making it one of the top 10 shows of 2025. This impressive statistic underscores the show’s enduring popularity.

Nigella’s Television Journey

Nigella Lawson’s history with Channel 4, which launched her career with the series ‘Nigella Bites’ in 1999, marks a return to her roots. She has since hosted numerous programs on the BBC and made guest appearances on American shows like Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ and ABC’s ‘The Taste.’

Conclusion

Nigella Lawson’s addition to ‘The Great British Bake Off’ promises to refresh the series as it continues to resonate with audiences. Her extensive culinary expertise and charm will undoubtedly enhance the baking competition, making it an exciting season to look forward to.