The Great British Bake Off returns for its 17th series next week and presenter Alison Hammond has opened up about the ‘bittersweet’ arrival of new judge Nigella Lawson following Prue Leith’s departure
Alison Hammond has opened up about Nigella Lawson joining The Great British Bake Off, and admitted her arrival as the new judge came with mixed emotions after the departure of Prue Leith.
Twelve new bakers will nervously be stepping into the iconic tent next week, Tuesday, September 22, as The Great British Bake Off returns for season 17.
Presenters Noel Fielding, 53, and Alison Hammond, 51 will be back to bring their usual light-hearted fun as judge Paul Hollywood takes a very close inspection of everyone’s handiwork.
For the past nine seasons, Paul, 60, has been joined by fellow judge Prue Leith but she stepped down from the Channel 4 show earlier this year. Prue, 86, said she felt it was the right time to leave and wanted to spend more time on other things, including enjoying her garden.
“Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have,” she said at the time. “I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Speaking on Radio 2 to Mark Goodier, Alison revealed how she was feeling.
“Bittersweet – the loss of Prue, we were so sad,” she said. “Then the sweetness is having Nigella, she is wonderful and Prue loved her as well. What is so lovely is that you will see on the first episode there is a lovely moment where both of our judges [Nigella and Prue] grace the screens for a brief moment within seconds which is really nice.”
Noel chimed in saying: “We had to do that so people didn’t think Nigella was one of Prue’s characters. Prue wanted to spend a bit more time with grandchildren and travelling so in a way it was a bit selfish of us to keep her and make her do another series.”
Alison continued: “We didn’t want to let her go.”
Nigella, 66, was announced as Prue’s replacement earlier this year and as the celebrated food writer and television cook opened up on This Morning, the star promised that while she was a “teeny bit frightened” – she was also “excited.”
Continuing to divulge on the new series, Noel said: “But when Nigella came in, we couldn’t believe it.”
Alison added: “I didn’t believe it at first and then she came on. She was nervous and everything like that but she fitted in really well.”
Nigella is far from the only casting switch-up to be made on the Great British Bake Off over the years.
When GBBO was originally airing on BBC One, it was Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins who were the presenters with Mary Berry by Paul’s side.
Then when the show moved over to Channel 4, it was hosted by Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig who was later replaced by comedian Matt Lucas.
And for the past three years, Noel has been joined by the This Morning star Alison Hammond who returns for this latest outing.
Paul Hollywood is the only original star who has been in every season of The Great British Bake Off.
The Great British Bake Off 2026 premieres on Tuesday, September 22, at 8pm, on Channel 4.
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