Bake Off fans are ecstatic about the forthcoming series of the show, as Nigella Lawson makes her debut as a judge. The celebrity cook, author, and presenter will bring her trademark wit to the tent, replacing Prue Leith.
Lawson, 66, will join Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding, and Alison Hammond when the beloved baking competition returns this autumn. She was pictured with her co-stars for the first time this week as Channel 4 announced the new series will air in September 2026.
Lawson's teaser and fan reactions
On Tuesday 18 August, Lawson shared a teaser from inside the iconic Bake Off tent on social media. In the clip, she wears a royal purple jumpsuit, saunters up to the camera with a spoon, and says: “Ooh, luscious.”
She wrote in the caption: “I’m a bit nervous, very excited and extremely happy: Bake Off is back on our screens next month! I’ve loved every minute. It’s a real honour to be part of something so special. Thank you Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding for making me feel so instantly part of the family. You three plus cake: Talk about the dream job!”
Hundreds of people commented on the post, including fans, former contestants, and food industry figures. Many are excited about Lawson’s knack for innuendoes and playful pronunciation. Former winner Dr Rahul Mandal commented: “Innuendoes will reach sky high to another level. Hope Alison, Paul and Noel behave.” Another fan wrote: “Ooh I can’t wait! Looking forward to lots of smutty innuendoes. It’s going to be great fun this year.” A third joked: “I presume the new time slot will be after the watershed.”
Hopes for 'microwave' comeback
Others hope Lawson will revive her iconic pronunciation of “microwave” as “mee-cro-wah-vay,” which went viral in 2020 during her BBC show Cook, Eat, Repeat. One fan wrote: “Get that microwavaaaahhheeeeee ready.” George Aristidou, a 2021 contestant, added: “[There] just has to be a technical challenge involving a MEECRO-WAH-VAY!”
Viewing figures and new judge
There is also hope Lawson can revive the audience for Bake Off, as viewing figures have struggled since the show moved to Channel 4 in 2017. Numbers declined every year since 2020, until series 16 in 2025 showed improvement, with 7.26 million viewers for the first episode. Critics had said the show had become stale and “insipid.”
Lawson replaces Leith, 86, who has been a judge since 2017, taking over from Mary Berry. This makes Lawson the youngest female judge in the show’s history. Fans said they would tune in now, with one writing: “I haven’t watched this for years. I will now,” and another: “Thanks for reinvigorating a format that over the past few years had definitely become more than a bit stale. I’ll tune in for the first time in around five years.”
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning in January, Lawson said: “I am excited, but I take it very seriously. The thing about Bake Off is that it’s about the programme – which is an institution of national treasure status – and it’s about the bakers, and I just want to be there and be a part of it.” Channel 4 said fans “can expect to see Nigella bringing her trademark warmth, wit and passion for flavour to the tent.”
