Nigella Lawson has been praised for giving Paul Hollywood a telling off as the two stars clashed during Tuesday night's episode of The Great British Bake Off.
Biscuit Week elimination
As Biscuit Week got underway, Danni was announced as the first baker to be sent home from the famous tent after her American-style cookies and biscuit design didn't leave a lasting impression on the judges. But as Danni, 25, left the tent, she became emotional, reflecting on "making friends with a group of strangers".
However, fans noticed a distinctly unfriendly atmosphere between Nigella and Paul after the How To Be A Domestic Goddess author repeatedly challenged her co-star. Contestant Moyin sparked an unlikely clash after stating that he would be using miso in his cookies.
Tense exchanges
"It's unusual to use miso in cookies," said Paul. Nigella instantly hit back saying: "No, it isn't, the young people are doing it a lot." Another tense moment saw Paul describe one of the sweet treats from a baker as "naughty". Nigella had an issue with this, replying: "I don't approve of referring to food as naughty. We have to take our pleasures where we can in life."
While the judges debated who should be sent home, Paul attempted to make a joke, saying: "How are we going to decide? Arm wrestle? I'd let you win." Again, this didn't go down too well with Nigella, who responded: "No, you wouldn't, I'm the one that lifts weights."
Fan reaction
The moments certainly didn't go unnoticed, with fans flocking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts. One said: "I like Nigella telling Paul off." While a second went on to add: "Episode 2 and I get a sense Paul and Nigella are not besties."
"Nigella has offered more feedback and challenged Paul more in 2 episodes than Prue did in 9 years," commented a third. Meanwhile, a fourth went on to write: "The more digs Nigella gives to Paul, it is more probable she will take over the show." "The lack of chemistry between Nigella and Paul is very apparent," typed a fourth. A fifth went on to tweet: "Nigella really isn't a fan of Paul Hollywood, is she?"
United front
Despite the tension during the episode, Paul and Nigella had appeared on The One Show earlier in the evening and put on a united front, despite previous reports of a "bitter battle of egos". Nigella said of her "reservations" before accepting the role: "I had many reservations. When I had my first meeting with them, I had a long list of why I shouldn't do it, because I felt like I had to make it clear that I am not a technical baker. I'm a home baker."
"I didn't want them to feel they'd come to the wrong shop. I wanted to say what I felt I could do and what I felt I couldn't do." She said that after the first meeting, she informed the bosses that there would be "no hard feelings" if they thought she wouldn't be what the programme needed.
Nigella later praised Paul, branding him a "genius", adding that he can instantly tell whether a cake needs longer in the oven. She went on to say: "What I feel like I can do is eat, and then try and explain what the taste is like or what the texture is like for people who are home. But I just think I wanted them to know that that's it." Paul said of his co-star: "And you can tell she imparts that beautifully, though. You can see it on Bake Off."
