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Original poster

Nigella as new bake host

117 replies

Anon9898 · 26/01/2026 14:15

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

OP posts:
trappedCatAsleepOnMe · 26/01/2026 16:39

I didn't think Alison Hammond would work and ended up really liking her.

So will wait and see.

She wouldn't have been my first choice and I seem to remember her having some issue with one of her baking books recipies not working or something but maybe she'll be good.

PickledMuffin · 26/01/2026 16:38

It’s put me off watching it, I find her irritating 😕

TheChicDreamer · 26/01/2026 16:38

I was disappointed when I heard. I have some of her books and they are fine but she as a presenter… ew. I find her uncomfortable to watch. Toe curlingly cringey. Constantly eye fucking the camera and speaking in that gravelly innuendo-loaded voice. God no. I just can’t 😖

I much preferred the down to earth Pru.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 26/01/2026 16:36

Oh I think she's a GREAT choice! Delia Smith would have been too.

twohotwaterbottles · 26/01/2026 16:36

I'm not convinced the combination of personalities on there will work, but I'll watch with an open mind. Happy to be proved wrong

giallo · 26/01/2026 16:33

Prue wasn’t a baker and she did fine and Nigella has written a very good baking book, her recipes always work. It will be an interesting dynamic between her and Paul.

mrscoreytaylor · 26/01/2026 16:13

takealettermsjones · 26/01/2026 15:36

They should have hired Gordon and Gino, changed the start time to 9pm, and let chaos reign!

good god no.

Greybutdontwanttodye · 26/01/2026 16:08

I love her…I think her baking is pretty mediocre and an j er dependency on convenience ingredients but she’s funny to watch and doesn’t take herself too seriously…I think she’ll be a good fit for the show although I do wonder if she will ruffle Paul’s feathers.
I would LOVE to see a microwavay technical challenge

Threesmycrowd · 26/01/2026 16:07

Theemomum · 26/01/2026 14:28

I actually don't mind her, her "sexiness" in cooking makes me chuckle and don't forget the MEEKROWAVEY 😂

Show quote history

Shes so funny isn't she! She will be perfect for all the bake off innuendo.

peacefulpeach · 26/01/2026 16:05

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 26/01/2026 14:16

Oh god. She and Paul together are going to be so…oily. All unctuous and full of themselves. ☹️

My immediate thoughts. 🤢
Haven’t watched it since Mel and sue and Mary. Every dog has its day, and the bake off, like strictly, and Ant and Dec, needs to retire.

JengaNonConfirming · 26/01/2026 16:05

I love Nigella and think she'll be great!

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 26/01/2026 16:02

I like Nigella , l think she will be brilliant.

catmothertes1 · 26/01/2026 15:58

MissMoneyFairy · 26/01/2026 14:16

I won't be watching anymore, can't stand the fake sexiness and lip smacking.

She might present Bake Off in a different way?

CatPawprints · 26/01/2026 15:45

I love Nigella and think she'll bring a new energy to the show. I've dropped off from watching it last couple of years but I might give it another go.

mydogisthebest · 26/01/2026 15:41

I am not very keen on her. All that pouting and supposed sexy looks to camera. Also she is a not a baker. Not sure that she is even a chef. I think Rav from Junior Bake Off would be good and she is a qualified pastry chef.

Lots of comments from sad men on facebook saying they are now going to start watching it! Do that many men really fancy her? DH doesn't in the slightest

Xmasmusings · 26/01/2026 15:41

I quite like her; she's very watchable. I end up repeating what she's saying and trying to make it sexy and just making myself laugh. There are definitely worse ways to react to a presenter.

The first book of hers that I bought was 'The Domestic Goddess' which is all about baking. But her general schtick is sexily throwing things together and baking with precision isn't very sexy.

To conclude, I'll be interested to see how she does. I'll predict that she'll either be terrible or great but not mediocre.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 26/01/2026 15:36

I like her 🤷‍♀️

takealettermsjones · 26/01/2026 15:36

They should have hired Gordon and Gino, changed the start time to 9pm, and let chaos reign!

GCAcademic · 26/01/2026 15:34

I agree that she is not a baker and is less credible for this show than Mary Berry and Prue Leith, both of whom had a strong industry profile. But I expect that this is a decision that has been made based on TV ratings rather than baking prowess.

AnnPerkins · 26/01/2026 15:28

I love Nigella but I'm disappointed because I think she's too good for Bake Off. I would much rather she did another series of her own.

I don't really think of her as a baker anyway.

cardibach · 26/01/2026 15:28

@caramac04 Bake Off is heavy on innuendo anyway - odd thing to be concerned about.

Secretseverywhere · 26/01/2026 15:26

I quite like nigella, not a massive fan of Paul or Allison but I like Noel. I’ve not watched for a few seasons as it’s all got a bit samey but may revisit.

JennyWren5 · 26/01/2026 15:23

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 agree Lorraine Pascale would’ve been a good judge. I think Nigella is great, but I can’t imagine her as a GBBO judge. I would’ve preferred her as a presenter. I haven’t watched it for years though - not since it left the BBC - and I don’t think her judging will tempt me back.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 26/01/2026 15:22

I have seen Nigella as a visiting judge on Masterchef Australia, and she did a good job, in my opinion. Some of the celebrity chefs they get on there see it as being all about them, not about mentoring or centring the contestants (Marco Pierre White, is the worst), but Nigella was friendly and encouraging, and good with the contestants. I think she might be a good choice.

IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · 26/01/2026 15:15

Just asked my partner and they think same as me, which is "Sorry, but no". We liked Dame Mary but loved Dame Prue. We also liked Caroline Waldegrave who did the Celeb one in lieu of Prue last year. She knew her stuff, was very twinkly, and didn't attempt to make it about her. You don't have to have a big personality be an effective judge on a baking show