Nigella Lawson has made her judging debut in the first trailer for the upcoming season of The Great British Bake Off. The British chef, 66, joins hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood, in the clip promoting the series set to air next month.
Lawson was brought in to potentially boost viewership after the previous season saw a decline. However, reports have emerged suggesting that Lawson and Hollywood have not entirely hit it off, with Lawson reportedly finding his helicopter commutes "gauche."
The trailer features Lawson making a dramatic entrance into the famous tent. As Hollywood prepares to sample a creation, Fielding playfully stops him, saying, "not so fast blue eyes." Hammond then prompts Lawson, saying "ladies first," to which Lawson clears her throat, pushes past the others, and takes a fork to sample the item while looking directly at the camera.
Fans reacted enthusiastically to the trailer, with social media comments expressing excitement such as "What an entrance," "Come on Nigella, show them who's boss. Cannot wait," and "Make way for the queen."
Despite rumors of a rift, Lawson and Hollywood previously shared a playful moment on social media. In April, Lawson posted a selfie with Hollywood, jokingly announcing a fictional detective series set in the Ruhr Valley, with Hollywood as a "hard-bitten, seen-it-all detective" and herself as a "lugubrious forensic pathologist." The post, which included a photo of the two in dramatic poses, amused many fans who expressed a desire to watch such a show.
Lawson officially joined The Great British Bake Off for its 17th series, taking on the role after Prue Leith announced her departure following nine years. Lawson acknowledged the pressure of following in the footsteps of her predecessors, Dame Mary Berry and Leith, whom she referred to as "great dames." She stated that while she was "daunted," she was also "bubbling with excitement," calling the show a "National Treasure" and expressing her honor at being entrusted with it. She conveyed her gratitude for the opportunity and wished Leith well.
The Great British Bake Off first premiered in 2010. Paul Hollywood has been a judge since its inception, initially alongside Mary Berry until 2016. Prue Leith joined the panel in 2017 when the show moved to Channel 4.