Nigella Lawson set to replace Prue Leith on The Great | UK News

In a surprising flip of occasions, Nigella Lawson is poised to be part of The Great British Bake Off as a decide following Prue Leith’s announcement that she is stepping down from her function today. Sources revealed that contract talks with the 66-year-old celeb chef are nearing completion, and she is prepared to signal on as Prue’s alternative.

Nigella has been talked of as Prue’s successor since 2024 when the now 85-year-old decide cut her workload by ducking the celeb sequence. The telly favorite will line up alongside long-standing decide Paul Hollywood when filming for the new sequence begins in April.

A source said: “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.”

The source added: “Contract discussions are in the final stages and, all being well, Nigella will be heating up the famous tent soon.”

Nigella’s latest TV appearances and specials

The telly favorite’s last look in a UK TV sequence was in Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat on BBC Two in 2020. Since then, she has judged on MasterChef Australia and delivered a few Christmas specials.

Prue changed Mary Berry in 2017 and has judged more than 400 challenges over 9 sequence of the show, which is hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. During her stint, she admitted she gave up breakfast and lunch to keep in form and tried fats jabs, but hated the side-effects.

In 2017, Prue by chance revealed the winner before the finale aired after miscalculating the time distinction while tweeting from a vacation in the Himalayas, leaving her “mortified” by the blunder.

Bake Off’s tribute to Prue

Makers Love Productions said: “From her genuine expertise and encouragement of the bakers to her ability to drop innocent innuendos, Prue will always have a piece of Bake Off’s heart.”

A Bake Off spokesman said: “The new judge will be announced in due course.”

Yesterday, Prue said: “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life. I feel very lucky to have been part of it. I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love ­Productions and Channel 4. Now feels like the right time to step back.”

Despite Prue’s determination, Channel 4’s Ian Katz hinted at a return, saying he was “looking forward to working with her on new projects.” He said: “She leaves an indelible mark on the show.”