Nigella Lawson to replace Prue Leith as Great British Bake Off judge in genius swap

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated by our reporters as the breaking news story develops

Dan Grennan Audience Writer

22:19, 21 Jan 2026Updated 22:34, 21 Jan 2026

[Nigella Lawson is joining Great British Bake Off]

Nigella Lawson is joining Great British Bake Off(Image: Getty Images)

Nigella Lawson is set to replace Prue Leith as judge on The Great British Bake Off Bake Off. Prue Leith stepped down from the role earlier today as reports suggest Nigella will fill her boots as contract talks come to a close.

Rumours of Nigella taking on the role have been circulating since 85-year-old Prue cut back on her workload by dodging the celebrity series. When filming for the new series begins in April, Nigella, 66, will stand alongside veteran judge Paul Hollywood.

A source told the Sun: Nigellas recognised worldwide. Shes 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.

[Dame Prue Leith ]

Dame Prue Leith has quit The Great British Bake Off after almost a decade (Image: Channel 4)

Nigella's last UK TV appearance was in 2020's Nigellas Cook, Eat, Repeat on BBC Two. She also judged on MasterChef Australia and delivered a few Christmas specials.

Prue Leith joined Bake Off as a judge in 2017, replacing Mary Berry. She appears on the Channel 4 hit alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.

But she's now decided to hang up the oven gloves because it "feels like the right time to step back". Prue said she wants to spend more time in her garden and joked that she was too old to stay on the show, saying she's "86 for goodness sake!"

She told The Sun: "Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it and Im sure Ill miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4.

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[Nigella is a fan favourite]

Nigella is a fan favourite(Image: Getty Images)

"But now feels like the right time to step back (Im 86 for goodness sake!), theres so much Id like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden."

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