Nigella Lawson has candidly shared her feelings of trepidation and anticipation as she prepares to step into the judging role on The Great British Bake Off. The renowned TV chef, aged 66, expressed being "really frightened" about joining the iconic Channel 4 show, taking over from Prue Leith, who announced her departure after nine years alongside Paul Hollywood.
A New Chapter for Bake Off
During an appearance on This Morning with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Nigella opened up about her biggest concerns in assuming the prestigious position. She acknowledged the formidable legacy left by previous judges, including Prue Leith and Mary Berry, which adds to her nervousness. "Prue is just fantastic, and Mary was fantastic before, so if I think about that I get really frightened," she admitted live on air.
Honoured and Excited
Despite her fears, Nigella emphasised her honour and excitement about the opportunity. "Channel 4 have given me the honour of offering me this and I just want to do it as well as I can, become a part of it, enjoy it, and I'm very excited about it," she stated. With a career spanning numerous cookery programmes such as Nigella: Cook, Eat, Repeat and Nigella Express, she is taking this new role "very seriously."
Philosophy and Approach
Nigella outlined her judging philosophy, which contrasts with her co-star Paul Hollywood's technical focus. "I'm not someone who looks for fault, I look for pleasure - that is my basic, I can't say it's a philosophy, but my basic attitude in life," she explained. She sees her role as centred on the eating experience, aiming to offer a softer, more encouraging perspective to the bakers. "Paul Hollywood is Mr Technical and I'm all about the eating - if I see my job as eating, it's not too daunting, I can eat," she quipped.
Challenges and Humour
Even with her positive outlook, Nigella admitted to practical worries, such as her "clumsy" nature potentially causing chaos in the Bake Off tent. She joked, "I am the clumsiest person in the world so as long as I don't know any of their cake off the tables and the stands..." When quizzed by Ben Shephard about her debut date, she playfully responded, "Why should I tell you?" before clarifying that filming will start soon, though she remains cautious about specifics.
Prue Leith's Departure
Prue Leith, aged 85, confirmed her exit from the show via Instagram, stating it felt like the "right time to step back" after judging over 400 challenges. She expressed gratitude for her time on Bake Off, highlighting the joy of working with Paul Hollywood, hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, and the production teams. Love Productions and Channel 4 praised her contributions, noting her expertise, empathy, and humour that endeared her to audiences.
Looking Ahead
As Nigella Lawson prepares to join the judging panel, she reflected on the importance of the bakers and the show's gentle, non-competitive spirit. "It's very much about [the bakers] the show, and that's what I love about it - there's a lot of competition programmes can be a bit hard-edged but this isn't, and we need that," she said. With Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding, and Alison Hammond remaining on the show, fans can expect a fresh dynamic while maintaining the beloved essence of The Great British Bake Off.
