Bake Off fans are loving 'perfect' Nigella Lawson on the show
She's made a great impression with fans!
The Great British Bake Off returned to our screens for a 17th series last night (Tuesday 22nd September), as new judge Nigella Lawson joined Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding for the first time.
As the aspiring bakers were tasked to create their own stout cake, paying homage to Nigella's famous Guinness cake, the new judge was on hand to give her top tips.
Unfortunately for the bakers, the first task proved pretty disastrous, with one cake landing on the floor and a number of them resembling anything but a cake! Things didn't get much easier during the Technical Challenge, after Nigella and Paul asked the bakers to create a coffee and walnut cake, before they moved onto the Showstopper.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Bake Off 2026
Nigella was mostly impressed by Drag Queen Gabe, who created a 'Blu Romantic' portrait cake to show off his artistic skills, involving a cracking mirror to reveal the true identity.
When Paul cracked the mirror, Nigella gasped: “Oh, that is clever. That is rather profound actually. A lot of us feel we have a person beyond the surface.”
Unsurprisingly, Gabe was later rewarded the first Star Baker of the series, but after Shannon became unwell and was unable to complete the task, host Alison confirmed nobody would be going home during Week One.
After seeing the episode, fans of the Channel 4 show were quick to take to social media to express their thoughts, with many praising Nigella.
One wrote: 'Yes!!! 🙌 LOVE Bake Off and LOVE Nigella, what a combo. This new team is going to be spot on 👌 EXCITED 🎉', with another writing: ' perfect debut, awesome addition to the tent! 🙌👏'. (sic)
A third commented: 'One episode in and I already can’t imagine the show without @nigellalawson 🤩 What an addition to the lineup she is. Bravo to all involved! 👏🍰'. (sic)
Somebody else said: 'She was fabulous and is perfect alongside the other three, can’t wait for next week', with another saying: 'Nigella was a bloody triumph. Fantastic. 😍👏'.
Ahead of the episode airing, the 66-year-old took to social media to admit she was nervous. She wrote: 'I can’t pretend I’m not nervous about tonight but I’m excited, too. It’s a huge honour to be part of something as cherished (and rightly so) as Bake Off, and I’m enormously grateful, somewhat overawed and supremely happy. Thank you to @paul.hollywood for showing me how it’s done (even if I sometimes disagree with him!) and to their gorgeousnesses, @alisonhammond55 and @noel_fielding and the whole crew, too. Thanks to you all for your messages of encouragement – I appreciate it from the bottom of my racing heart! Above all, of course, thank you to our lovely fresh batch of bakers. I can’t wait for you to meet them tonight at 8pm on @channel4! Not long now!! 🩷'. (sic)
Nigella's co-stars were quick to reassure her, with Noel Fielding commenting: 'Beautiful words from a beautiful lady - don’t be nervous my gothic twin, you were amazing ! X 🖤'.
Paul Hollywood then said: 'Enjoy the ride Nigella X you were superb'. (sic)
The Great British Bake Off continues every Tuesday night at 8pm on Channel 4.
Author: Alex Ross
Alex Ross is a Digital Content Editor across Rayo brands, including the Hits Radio Network, Greatest Hits Radio, KISS, Cool FM and Magic Radio. After beginning her career as a Marketing Intern with Bauer Media in 2016, she transitioned into digital editorial and has spent the past decade creating engaging content for millions of readers. Whether it’s reality shows, sitcoms, gritty crime dramas or hard-hitting documentaries, Alex is an expert in all things TV, as well as knowing the ins and outs of celebrities.