Nigella Lawson has playfully scolded fellow Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood live on BBC Radio 2, telling him 'you must work on that' after he sounded surprised by a former contestant's win.
Nigella, 66, has teamed up with Paul, 60, for the 17th series of the Great British Bake Off alongside presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Paul has served as a judge on the show since its debut series in 2010 when it broadcast on the BBC, remaining with the programme when it transferred to Channel 4 in 2017. Nigella took over from Prue Leith, who had featured on the show since 2017; she had previously succeeded Mary Berry.
Radio 2 exchange over Sara Cox's win
During an interview with Sara Cox on her BBC Radio 2 programme ahead of biscuit week, Sara mentioned her own triumph in The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off in 2024.
Wrapping up the conversation, BBC host Sara said: "Already it's off to a brilliant start Paul congratulations. And thank you for winking at me when my sponge was done on Celebrity Bake Off that I won."
Nigella responded: "I know I know" before Paul added: "You did well." At this moment Nigella interjected, speaking from her perspective as a viewer: "We were all witnesses to your greatness."
Nigella's reprimand
Sara then requested clarification from Paul, appearing through a digital connection, regarding what he had said. She enquired: "Did you say I did well there Paul? Not to milk it."
Paul answered: "You did really well. You did. I mean I was quite impressed to be honest Sara." Sara then remarked casually: "Alright don't sound so surprised," before Nigella reprimanded her fellow judge: "I know you must work on that Paul, that surprised tone."
Sara then said to Paul: "Gave me a little wink he did and I appreciated that. Paul, congrats on a great series already; enjoy the rest of the series. Enjoy the rest of your day."
Nigella's judging approach
This is not the first occasion Nigella has touched upon conversations she and Paul have shared regarding the best approach to judging on the show. In an interview with Woman's Weekly, Nigella opened up about her anxieties and how she and Paul approached tasting the bakers' creations differently.
Nigella revealed how she sought his advice on coping with the volume of food, but found herself at odds with his suggestion on how much of each bake to sample. She told the publication: "At the beginning, when there were all the bakers there, I did feel I was challenging my system. But I like to be able to taste things properly. I'm an eater.
"I did actually implore Paul: 'Gosh, how do you manage all that?' He said: 'Well, you could take smaller mouthfuls.' And I realised no, I couldn't."
The Bake Off returns to the UK's screens tonight (Tuesday, October 6) at 8pm on Channel 4.
