Nigella Lawson ‘will replace Prue Leith as the new Bake Off host’

Nigella Lawson will replace Prue Leith as the new Great British Bake Off host, according to reports.  

On Wednesday, Prue announced she’s leaving the Channel 4 show after nine years of judging alongside Paul Hollywood. 

According to a TV insider, contract talks are in the final stages, with bosses excited about how the presenter’s ‘cheeky banter’ could liven up the show.   

‘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,’ a source told The Sun. 

‘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.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Nigella and Channel 4 for comment. 

In recent years, Nigella, 66, 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 former show judge Mary Berry in 2017, confirmed she was waving goodbye to the hit baking series, admitting it felt like the ‘right time to step back’ and make way for someone else to join the team. 

Paul, 58, and show hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond will remain on the show. 

Prue took to Instagram to confirm her departure. She wrote: ‘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.