The 'flirty and fiery' relationship between Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off will have viewers gripped, according to insiders.
Channel 4 believe the pair, who are working together as judges for the first time on the upcoming 17th series, are 'TV gold' - and unlike anything that's been seen before.
Newly arrived Nigella, who has replaced Dame Prue Leith on the hit show, is not afraid to poke fun at Paul or engage in flirty banter - and he is said to enjoy it. At one point, when they disagree on something, she challenges him to a physical challenge. And another time, when the bakers are toiling over a particular cake, she compares it to his sun-tan.
Insiders reveal what to expect
One insider said: "Paul just loves the attention! He's met his match with Nigella because she might be new but she's not afraid to poke fun at him.
"She then challenges him to an arm wrestle. And she also makes a joke about a walnut cake being the same colour as him.
"She can come across as seductive and flirty - not just with him, with everyone - but that's just who she is, she can't help herself! It's her trademark. Some of the things she comes out with are so funny. There are some iconic moments.
"The great thing is that Nigella hasn't changed anything about herself for the show, and the show hasn't changed anything for her. She's come along and done her thing and it's worked wonderfully.
"Their chemistry gives this series a whole different feel which gives it a freshness. Viewers are in for a treat."
Channel 4 boss weighs in
Yesterday Channel 4's director of content strategy Kiran Nataraja said she was 'really excited' to have Nigella on the show. And referring to a report suggesting she'd been dismayed to see Paul arriving on the set in Berkshire using his own personal mode of 'showing off' transport, Kiran added: "She and Paul are not arguing about helicopters the whole time."
In a clip shown at the Edinburgh TV Festival Nigella, 60, is heard telling one contestant: "Don't let the sugar shout. Let it sing."
And she tells another: "I like the fact that there is something a bit sort of jumbly about them. A treat to look at and a treat to eat." Another critique she provides is: "There is nothing wrong in restraint. Restraint is a very good partner to indulge."
She and Paul are also shown sitting back and relaxing as, for the first time, they are not called upon to set the Technical Challenge - thanks to the newly introduced 'audience choice week'.
Series return
Paul, 66, previously got on well with both Dame Prue and her predecessor, Dame Mary Berry. The long-running series, presented by Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, already has a reputation for being packed with saucy innuendoes.
The Great British Bake Off is due to air on Channel 4 next month.
