“The Great British Bake Off” will undergo a major change after longtime judge Prue Leith announced her departure from the show following her nine year tenure.
But it seems they already have a new judge ready to step in.
The Sun reports that Nigella Lawson is set to sign on as Prue’ replacement, adding that “contract talks were coming to a close” on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
“The’s got the cheeky banter down to a tee, with all her work laden with the fun innuendos and naughty patter that are synonymous with Bake Off,” a source told the outlet. “Prue has been wonderful but Nigella will be a sure-fire hit.”
Who Is Nigella Lawson?
Lawson is a well-known food writer who has experience on cooking shows, having hosted “Nigella Bites” on Channel 4 and served as a judge on MasterChef Australia.
She has also sold more than eight million cookbooks, having initially risen to fame following her first book, How to Eat, which was published in 1988. Her television show “Nigella Bites” came two years later. Lawson has gone on to write 13 cookbooks.
Prue Leith Announces Her Decision To Leave The Hit Show
In an emotional Instagram post on Jan. 21, Leith announced her decision to leave the show.
“After nine series and judging more than 400 challenges, I have decided to step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off,” Leith began, adding that it has been a “fabulous part of my life for the last nine years.”
And with that, she added that her age played a factor.
“But now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden,” she wrote. “Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Leith first joined the show in March 2017 after serving as a judge on BBC Two’s “Great British Menu.”
The official account for the show also posted, thanking Leith for all she’s done over the years.
“From joyful judging to colourful fits to accidental innuendoes, you are simply the best and will be so missed️,” the post said, with fellow judge Paul Hollywood leaving a sweet comment.
“It’s been incredible working with you Prue, you are magnificent and we have had such a laugh, I will see you soon …. I’ll cook ❤️,” he posted.
