Nigella Lawson has been confirmed as the new Great British Bake Off judge following Dame Prue Leith announcing she was stepping down after nine years.

The TV chef, 66, who will join Paul Hollywood, 59, when the Channel 4 show's new series begins filming in April ahead of airing later this year, said she was 'bubbling with excitement' to get started. 

But Nigella also admitted being daunted by the big shoes she had to fill, following two 'great dames' in Prue and original judge Dame Mary Berry. 

She said in a statement: 'I'm uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now. Of course it's daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I'm also bubbling with excitement.

'The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it's a National Treasure – and it's a huge honour to be entrusted with it.'

Before adding: 'I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!'

'I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!'

Nigella has also received Dame Prue's approval, who said: 'I'm thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off.

'She's sassy, fun and she knows her onions — and her croissants, cake and crumble.'

Following the announcement Prue said on Instagram: 'I was so hoping it would be Nigella! Brilliant choice.'

While host Noel Fielding added: 'So Excited !!! Welcome to the Mischief Palace x x We will all have a blast. x' and Alison Hammond wrote: 'Welcome to the family Queen.'

Nigella thanked fans for their support saying: 'Thank you, thank you, thank you — I can’t wait to enter the Tent of Dreams!'

Last week a source told The Sun: 'Nigella’s recognised worldwide. She's got the cheeky banter down to a tee, with all her work laden with the fun innuendos and naughty patter that are synonymous with Bake Off.

'Prue has been wonderful but Nigella will be a sure-fire hit. Contract discussions are in the final stages and, all being well, Nigella will be heating up the famous tent soon.'

In recent years, Nigella has served as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and a main judge on Australia's My Kitchen Rules.

Her debut cookbook, How To Eat (1998), became a bestseller, followed by How To Be A Domestic Goddess (2000), which won her Author of the Year at the British Book Awards.

Nigella has hosted many cookery shows over the years and is widely known for her innuendos and descriptive, sensual language.

Meanwhile, Prue, who replaced original judge Mary in 2017, confirmed she was waving goodbye to the hit baking series, admitting it felt like the 'right time to step back'.

She wrote on Instagram: 'After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.

'Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it and I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4.

'But now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden.

'Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.' 

Love Productions, who are behind the making of the Channel 4 show, said: 'From her genuine expertise and encouragement of the bakers to her ability to drop innocent innuendos that reduce the entire tent (and the audience at home) to tears of laughter, Prue will always have a piece of Bake Off’s heart.'

While Channel 4's Ian Katz added: 'Prue has been a joyous presence in the tent, pairing absolute culinary authority with great generosity and empathy for the bakers.

'We are grateful for her passion, her wit, her ineffable style, and all the summers she spent in the tent. She leaves an indelible mark on the show and all its bakers. 

'We will miss her wry, gentle judgement but look forward to working with her on new projects.'

Bake Off last aired in September 2025 and came to an end in November when student Jasmine Mitchell was crowned the winner.