British food personality Nigella Lawson will replace Prue Leith on the “Great British Baking Show.”
Leith announced last week that, after judging more than 400 challenges on the culinary program, she would step aside for “Whoever joins the team” she’s been a part of for nine seasons. Much to Leith’s delight, the show announced Monday that Lawson will be that person.
“I was so hoping it would be Nigella! Brilliant choice,” Leith posted on Instagram.
Lawson, 66, said, in a statement, “I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now!” She also wished her 86-year-old predecessor well.
Lawson will join Paul Hollywood, who’s been a judge since the 2010 debut of “The Great British Bake Off,” as it’s called on the other side of the pond.
“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,” Lawson added.
BBC viewers know Lawson from her various cooking shows throughout the years, most recently her 2020 show cooking show “Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat.”
She recently spent two seasons on Australia’s “My Kitchen Rules” beginning in 2022.
“The Great British Bake Off” saw a much-needed ratings spike in 2025 following a decline that began in 2020, according to the Guardian. Season 16’s opening episode attracted 7.26 million viewers. That reportedly marked an increase of 600,000 watchers from the previous year.
The program streams on Netflix in the U.S. with the title “The Great British Baking Show” due to a trademark on the phrase “Bake-Off” held by Pillsbury for its annual baking competition.
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