Television chef Nigella Lawson has received widespread critical acclaim for her debut as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, which will premiere on 22 September 2026 on . She replaces Dame Prue Leith, who departed the competition after nine seasons to prioritise leisure time over work commitments.
Lawson's appointment was formally announced by on 26 January 2026, several months ahead of the new series launch. The opening episode was screened to television critics earlier this week, generating enthusiastic responses to her on-screen presence and judging style.
According to Lawson herself, stepping into the role felt
dauntinggiven that she follows both Prue Leith and Mary Berry, though she expressed that she was
bubbling with excitementabout the opportunity. First-look promotional material has already shown Lawson in the Bake Off tent alongside Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond, confirming her on-screen debut before transmission.
How have critics responded to Lawson's judging?
Television reviewers have praised Lawson's contribution to the show with particular enthusiasm. The Telegraph declared that
She's more delectable than anything the contestants could whip up in a showstopper challenge, while the Times observed that
lashings of Nigella Lawson help everyone rise to the occasion.
Ben Dowell of the Times highlighted specific moments from the first episode, noting Lawson's distinctive delivery of phrases such as
I want it really sumptuous. He characterised her voice as
highly seductiveand remarked that
You can tell the production team are pleased to have her - at times... it feels as if the programme is entertaining royalty, concluding that
Bake Off has found a new star.
Anita Singh of the Telegraph offered similarly positive commentary, writing that
Nigella is heaven for social media. The woman is a walking meme factory.Singh highlighted Lawson's distinctive manner of expression, noting that
Her every utterance comes over like a line from Emmanuelle. 'The flavours are giving me a lot of pleasure.' 'I like a bit of goo.' 'I'm hoping to find that wonderful frisson.'
Who are the new contestants?
The 17th series will feature 12 amateur bakers ranging in age from 21 to 67, each bringing their own baking philosophy and personal background to the competition.
Clara, aged 24, is a marketing graduate from Hertfordshire with Portuguese origins who took up baking only two years ago. She operates on the principle that
the first bite of a bake is always with the eyes.
Connie, 63, works as an NHS hospital discharge lead and has earned the nickname
the cake ladyamong her peers. She uses baking as a stress-relief activity following demanding shifts and co-runs a music centre in London with her husband Myke, a music teacher, where she frequently tests new recipes on students.
Danni, 25, works as an HGV service centre administrator in Dorset and combines her passion for foraging countryside ingredients with an enthusiasm for technology. She decorates her bakes with visual inspiration drawn from video games and animation.
Gabe, 32, identifies as an artist, drag king and costume designer from the West Midlands and holds the self-described title of
daddy of Birmingham drag.Gabe discovered baking at age 13 after watching the original Bake Off series and gravitates towards savoury, meat-filled creations alongside an intense focus on meringue techniques.
Gary, 67, is a retired garment technologist from Nottinghamshire who developed his passion for baking approximately five years ago. He resides in the countryside with his wife Donna and maintains a diverse collection of animals including sheep, horses, chickens, miniature pygmy goats and Shetland ponies.
Molly, 31, works as an accessibility coordinator in London and favours traditional baking methods and classic flavour combinations. She identifies as a musical theatre enthusiast and devoted Formula 1 fan who schedules her calendar around every race.
Moyin, 22, is a political economy student from Essex who balances academic commitments with competitive athletics. A sprinter crowned U20 County Champion in the 100 metres, Moyin incorporates flavours inspired by his Nigerian heritage, including grains of paradise and groundnuts, into his baking.
Mo, 21, is a law student from the West Midlands who describes himself as
chaotic and randomand aims to make his family proud through the competition. His baking journey began at age three with Play-Doh pretend cooking and has evolved to blend Asian flavours with traditional British baking classics.
Nikki, 50, works as an advertising post-producer in London and employs a colourful aesthetic in her baking style. A former podium dancer at Basingstoke's Ziggy's Night Club during the 1990s, she maintains her love of dancing at R&B clubs with her cousins.
Shannon, 29, works as a project planner and scheduler in Gloucestershire and learned baking techniques from her grandmother. She characterises her approach as
whimsical, quirky and rusticand has demonstrated her adventurous spirit by riding a horse through a drive-thru.
Tom, 25, is a hairdresser from West Yorkshire who also learned baking from his grandmother. His workplace colleagues eagerly anticipate his creations, particularly his signature salted caramel brownies. He describes himself as a self-proclaimed Northern diva who enjoys crafting pretty, delicious and witty bakes.
Yannis, 28, is a paediatric doctor from London who aims to challenge cultural perceptions that Bangladeshi men do not belong in the kitchen. Working in a busy neonatal intensive care unit, he recognises how baked goods bring joy to the ward and has won over nursing staff with his creations. He is also an accomplished Bhangra dancer.
When does the new series begin?
The Great British Bake Off will premiere on 22 September 2026 at 8pm on . The new season is also expected to stream on Netflix in the United States in September 2026, extending the show's international reach alongside its domestic broadcast.
