Nigella as new bake host

Anon9898 · 2026-01-26T14:15:39+00:00

Just that really. Now she has been confirmed what are people's thoughts. I'm not excited by Nigella would have preferred a Bake Off winner or former contestant maybe? I know the celeb is is Cherish from the professionals one. Would of loved some one a bit funnier and warmer the Nigella

ScaredOfFlying · 30/01/2026 18:53

BishyBarnyBee · 27/01/2026 08:23

Perhaps because she's 84?

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Is she really?! Wow, I guess that makes me old too 😀

Pineappleice43 · 27/01/2026 16:05

I'm disappointed, I don't really like her and think she'll change the tone of the show

LowdermilkPark · 27/01/2026 11:36

I haven’t watched Bake Off for years, but I like Nigella so will be tuning in again.

DelphineFox · 27/01/2026 11:23

I prefer Nigella to Prue too. Looking forward to seeing her on it.

Badbadbunny · 27/01/2026 10:28

I'll probably start watching it again as I loathe Pru Leith and havn't watched it once since Mary Berry left.

MrsLizzieDarcy · 27/01/2026 10:27

I'm also very glad it's not Nadiya. Her TV shows were as dull as ditchwater, no wonder they were dropped. She's more than had a run for her money out of Bake Off.

HHCrochetDiva · 27/01/2026 08:53

I’m bemused by all the comments about her not being a baker, she’s as much a baker as Prue and as others have said her baking recipes (and others) have never failed me. I think she’ll give Hollywood a run for his money and it could be fun. There’s no way Delia would want to do it, it’s a lot of work why make life hard for yourself, she’s probably doing nicely from royalties I should imagine. Perhaps everyone should reserve judgement till the show has been aired?

BishyBarnyBee · 27/01/2026 08:23

ScaredOfFlying · 27/01/2026 08:01

Gosh, I love Nigella but that’s a good point- Delia Smith fits absolutely perfectly in the older woman TV chef national treasure mould that is traditional for the show. I wonder why she isn’t doing it? I hope she is well.

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Perhaps because she's 84?

ThatWasMyLastFatFreeFrush · 27/01/2026 08:04

CoastalGrey · 27/01/2026 07:49

How is it possible to dislike Mary Berry?! 😮

I find her patronising. I don't like her recipes either.

ScaredOfFlying · 27/01/2026 08:03

mondaytosunday · 27/01/2026 06:04

I love her but don’t really see this working. She’s too much of a central character, iykwim. I’ve seen her in group judging shows and it doesn’t play to her strengths. I thought the suggestion of Nadja was a good idea - I think she’d fit right in!

She was on the panel of The Taste with Tony Bourdain, a central character if ever there was one. Seemed to manage fine.

ScaredOfFlying · 27/01/2026 08:01

TooBigForMyBoots · 27/01/2026 02:42

Im disappointed. I wanted Delia.

Gosh, I love Nigella but that’s a good point- Delia Smith fits absolutely perfectly in the older woman TV chef national treasure mould that is traditional for the show. I wonder why she isn’t doing it? I hope she is well.

CoastalGrey · 27/01/2026 07:49

How is it possible to dislike Mary Berry?! 😮

soupyspoon · 27/01/2026 07:09

Love Nigella and think she is very funny actually but she doesnt need to be, Mary or Prue werent comedy icons

I would have preferred it to be Nancy Birtwhistle but I do like Nigella.

ThatWasMyLastFatFreeFrush · 27/01/2026 07:04

I love Nigella. Can't stand Mary Berry or Prue Leith. If they got rid of Paul Hollywood it would be perfect.

EverythingGolden · 27/01/2026 07:03

I’m not that keen on Nigella, but I’ll reserve judgement. I don’t really like Paul Hollywood much either but I never stopped me watching it.

Sartre · 27/01/2026 06:53

Love Bake Off, don’t love Nigella. I think she’s going to ruin the vibes. She’s too uppity. Probably too old for Paul but he’ll still flirt no doubt and it’ll be cringe as hell.

mondaytosunday · 27/01/2026 06:04

I love her but don’t really see this working. She’s too much of a central character, iykwim. I’ve seen her in group judging shows and it doesn’t play to her strengths. I thought the suggestion of Nadja was a good idea - I think she’d fit right in!

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 27/01/2026 03:23

At least she likes eating, unlike Mary Berry who nibbled a crumb in the corner of her mouth.
Looking forward to her.

TooBigForMyBoots · 27/01/2026 02:42

Im disappointed. I wanted Delia.

ScaredOfFlying · 27/01/2026 02:40

She's fab. She’s a writer first and foremost so will be great at finding novel ways to articulate her judgments. She was a judge on The Taste (US version and short-lived UK one) for years so this is not her first rodeo. She is perfect for the innuendo-laden style and Hollywood will not dare patronise her.

She absolutely is a baker (Domestic Goddess book was a breakout hit) and really understands the history and culture of food. If I had applied for GBBO expecting Prue and found out I was getting Nigella instead I’d be thrilled.

Georgiepud · 27/01/2026 02:18

She has quite some vocabulary when it comes to describing food creations!
I like her.

LivingTheDreamish · 27/01/2026 02:12

I do love Nigella, she lacks the technical expertise of Mary or Prue so that is the only thing for me that might be lacking.

Delphiniumandlupins · 27/01/2026 02:04

I'm sure she'll be fine. The daftness of Bake Off annoys me -the silly dressing up stuff which even Pottery Throwdown is doing now. But they'll have screen tested her with PH so it will be interesting to see how that pans out. I quite like her programmes, that massive pantry which is better stocked than any supermarket and deli combined. I do get irritated when she cooks one chicken which generously feeds a dinner party of 10 people! (Just realised that is a typical MN chicken.)

LeDix · 27/01/2026 01:29

I think she’ll be fantastic!

Thinkabouttherecipe67 · 27/01/2026 01:22

caramac04 · 26/01/2026 14:52

Not my first choice. Not convinced she will get the best out of the bakers.
Nancy Birtwhistle would have been great or Lorraine Pascale.
I don’t see Nigella as a baker, more of a cook (yes I know she can bake but it’s not her image).
I do hope innuendos are not the go to fodder regarding many of the bakes.

I feel the same way! I would have loved Nancy or Lorraine.

I’m quite surprised that Nigella is willing to host a programme that is on its fourth or fifth version tbh! It seems a bit down market for her. But maybe she needs the income?

Also, the tabloids seem obsessed with this show and I worry that the sort of publicity that this appointment will generate, will not do her mh many favours.

I do like Nigella’s books. Her Christmas book is one of the best recipe books ever, and she writes extremely well, but I dislike the silly archness of her programmes as they all seem so contrived with the fake dinner guests! And to me she comes across as quite fragile and the opposite of a happy host.

Hopefully she will be better than I imagine! And they will have got me to tune in out of curiosity which I suppose is the aim!