A new era could be about to begin in the famous Bake Off tent — with Nigella Lawson tipped to replace departing judge Prue Leith in what insiders are calling a “phenomenal signing” for Channel 4.
Sources have revealed that contract talks are now nearing completion, with the 66-year-old culinary icon poised to sign on the dotted line and take over Prue’s seat on The Great British Bake Off.
Nigella has been widely discussed as Prue’s natural successor since 2024, when Prue — now 85 — began reducing her workload and stepped away from the celebrity version of the show. Now, it appears those long-running rumours are about to become reality.
If confirmed, Nigella will join long-standing judge Paul Hollywood when filming for the new series begins this April, alongside presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
A source close to the show said:
“Nigella is recognised worldwide. She’s got the cheeky banter down to a tee, with all her work loaded with the fun innuendos and naughty patter that Bake Off viewers love.”
They added:
“Prue has been wonderful, but Nigella will be a sure-fire hit. Contract discussions are in the final stages and, all being well, she’ll be heating up the famous tent very soon.”
Nigella’s most recent UK television series was Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat, which aired on BBC Two in 2020. Since then, she has appeared as a judge on MasterChef Australia and presented a number of festive specials, keeping her firmly in the public eye.
Prue, who replaced Mary Berry in 2017, has judged more than 400 challenges across nine series of Bake Off. During her time on the show, she was candid about the pressures of maintaining her health, admitting she skipped meals and even tried weight-loss injections — though she later revealed she hated the side effects.
The veteran judge announced her departure this week, describing Bake Off as “a fabulous part of my life” and saying she felt “very lucky” to have been involved.
“I’m sure I’ll miss working with Paul, Alison, Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4,” Prue said. “But now feels like the right time to step back.”
Prue, who was made a Dame in 2021 for services to food, broadcasting and charity, leaves behind a memorable legacy — including a notorious 2017 mishap when she accidentally revealed the Bake Off winner early after misjudging time zones while tweeting from a holiday in the Himalayas. She later admitted she was “mortified” by the error.
Despite stepping away, Channel 4’s Ian Katz has hinted that Prue may not be gone for good, saying he looks forward to working with her on new projects and praising the “indelible mark” she leaves on the show.
Love Productions echoed the sentiment, paying tribute to her expertise, warmth and ability to deliver innocent innuendos that often reduced the tent — and viewers at home — to laughter.
A Bake Off spokesperson added:
“The new judge will be announced in due course.”
