Nigella Lawson has been officially confirmed to replace Dame Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off.
The TV chef icon, 66, announced that she is ‘bubbling with excitement’ ahead of stepping into the famous tent alongside longtime judge Paul Hollywood.
She’ll join hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding following Dame Prue’s departure after nine series.
Nigella said: ‘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,’ she added to The Sun about her predecessors.
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‘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.
‘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!’
Meanwhile, Dame Prue has also given Nigella her backing, declaring that she is ‘thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off’.
‘She’s sassy, fun, and she knows her onions — and her croissants, cake, and crumble,’ added the 85-year-old broadcaster.
Nigella’s new gig marks somewhat of a television comeback for her, as her last new series was Cook, Eat, Repeat in 2020.
Since then, she has had stints as a judge on MasterChef Australia and fronted Christmas cookery specials.