Nigella Lawson, the new judge on The Great British Bake Off, has already made co-judge Paul Hollywood blush with her 'naughty' talk about focaccia. The pair met for the first time this week and bonded over a love of Italian bread, but their conversation was so risqué they were told off in a corridor. 'That's not a euphemism,' Nigella clarified, causing Paul to turn red.
In her first interview since landing the role, the 66-year-old Domestic Goddess admitted she is daunted by the amateur bakers, fearing they might be better than her. 'I'm a ramshackle type of a baker,' she said. 'I'm going to be thinking, why am I judging them, I couldn't do this?' But Paul, who turns 60 next week, praised her 'unbelievable taste buds' and said she comes 'from the same mould' as previous judges Mary Berry and Prue Leith.
Nigella explained what attracted her to the show: 'Bake Off really appeals to people in a rather deep emotional way... there's a sort of breakdown of a sense of community and connection between people. It's important for making viewers feel cosy and safe and part of something.' She is already planning on wearing elasticated trousers to cope with tasting 12 bakes per episode.
Paul reflected on the show's enduring popularity after 17 years, citing the tent, bunting, and stately home setting as giving a 'village fete feel'. He added, 'The tent is like a big family. I normally like to spend five minutes just me and the tent.' Nigella quipped, '17 years is not over a third of your life!'
