Nigella Lawson Replaces Prue Leith on The Great British Baking Show

Prue Leith has departed as a judge on The Great British Baking Show, making way for culinary personality Nigella Lawson to join the panel alongside Paul Hollywood. Leith announced her decision in January 2026, citing a desire to spend more time in her garden and a sense that it was the right moment to step down after nine series.

Leith, who joined the show in 2017 following its move to Channel 4 in the UK and its subsequent international run on Netflix, judged over 400 challenges during her tenure. She replaced Mary Berry, who stayed with the BBC when the show transitioned networks. Leith's departure was framed as a personal choice to embrace retirement, with her sharing the news via an Instagram post.

Nigella Lawson, a renowned food writer and television host, is the new judge. Lawson, 66, first gained prominence with her 1999 show Nigella Bites and has since authored numerous cookbooks and appeared on various television programs.

The show, originally titled The Great British Bake Off when it premiered on the BBC in 2010, has become an international hit. For the 2026 season, the judging panel consists of Hollywood and Lawson, with Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond returning as presenters. The cast also includes contestants such as Danni, Shannon, Molly, Nikki, Yannis, Clara, Connie, Gabe, Gary, Mo, and Tom.

Filming for The Great British Baking Show continues at Welford Park, a country estate in Berkshire, England, which has served as the primary location since 2014, with a brief interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic when filming moved to Down Hall. The estate is known to open its grounds to visitors periodically, and offers rental cottages.