Nigella Lawson tipped to become new Great British Bakeoff Judge

Nigella Lawson is reportedly set to succeed Dame Prue Leith as a judge on the Great British Bake Off, bringing the best-selling food writer and TV Chef to the highly popular 15-year old show.

A source told the Sun that “contract discussions are in the final stages and, all being well, Nigella will be heating up the famous tent soon.”

The source also told the paper that “Nigella’s recognised worldwide. She’s got the cheeky banter down to a tee, with all her work laden with the fun innuendos and naughty patter that are synonymous with Bake Off,” they added.

Lawson, who is Jewish, is one of the world’s most popular cookbook authors, having published more than a dozen works since 1998, and selling more than 8 million copies in total.

In a 2018 interview, she described how while she “wasn’t brought up with Jewish dietary laws” her family “totally, culturally, Jewish – from cooking too much, to feeding anyone the moment they walk through the door, and giving them things to take home.”

If confirmed, Lawson will replace Leith, who herself succeeded Dame Mary Berry in the role in 2016. The show, which originally began on the BBC in 2010, moved to Channel 4 in 2016, where it has remained since.

Channel 4 chief content officer, Ian Katz, said Dame Prue had provided “a joyous presence in the tent, pairing absolute culinary authority with great generosity and empathy for the bakers”.

He added: “She leaves an indelible mark on the show and all its bakers. We will miss her wry, gentle judgment but look forward to working with her on new projects.”

The other judges are Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Hammond succeeded Jewish comedian Matt Lucas, who was one of the show’s judges from 2020-2023.

The 17th series of the show is set to come later this year.