Nigella Lawson has set the record straight on a part of her personality that she says people tend to get wrong. The Great British Bake Off judge, 66, is appearing in her first season of the show alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
Nigella replaces Dame Prue Leith, who had been on the programme since 2017, when the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4. Prue had replaced Dame Mary Berry.
Voice Misconception Addressed
In an interview with Sara Cox on BBC Radio 2 at the start of this month, Nigella said she wanted to address something that people kept getting wrong about her. In response to a comment from Sara about how “iconic” and “wonderful” Nigella’s voice was, the television chef noted that the sound came with a caveat.
She explained: “But the thing is it’s difficult, because I have a slight slur. People always think I’ve been drinking, but I have a slur in my voice.”
Previous Comments on Her Speech
This isn’t the first time Nigella has addressed the way she sounds when she speaks. In 2023, she admitted she was sometimes nervous about saying the word “microwave” after a clip of her pronouncing it “micro-wah-vay” went viral.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast nearly three years ago, she admitted to using a three-word term for the appliance instead. She said: “I wasn’t quite aware I’d said it, because that’s what I call it at home…It’s made me quite self-conscious now. I tend to refer to it as the you-know-what now.”
Career and Bake Off Return
Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped Nigella’s career from progressing, with her becoming one of the most famous television chefs in the country. Ahead of season 17’s first episode, Nigella admitted to some pre-broadcast nerves in August in a post on Instagram.
She said: “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.” In a separate post, she thanked her co-stars for their support and for making her feel welcome in the famous baking tent.
She said: “Thank you @paul.hollywood @alisonhammond55 and @noel_fielding for making me feel so instantly part of the family. You three plus cake: talk about the dream job!” Soon after her appointment was made public, Nigella referenced the footsteps she was following, saying: “Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.”
Nigella, along with Paul, Alison and Noel, returns to UK screens tonight (October 13) at 8pm, as The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4.
