Great British Bake Off fans heap praise on new host Nigella Lawson and say she’s ‘brought joy’ back to show

GREAT British Bake Off fans have praised new judge Nigella Lawson as she hit our screens as a judge for the first time tonight. Back in January it was revealed that the TV cook, 66, was going to join Paul Hollywood as a judge on the popular Channel 4 show. Nigella has taken over from Prue Leith, who quit the programme earlier this year. GBBO returned to our screens this evening for the first time to kick start the 17th series. And fans rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how much they enjoyed watching Nigella on their screens. One said on the platform: “Nigella brings back the joy, wit & honesty that Mel and Sue added.” More on GBBO A second tweeted: “Fair to say that was a triumphant return of #GBBO. Nigella is going to own every scene!“ “Really enjoyed Bake Off tonight. Loving Nigella as a judge,” a third chimed in. A fourth commented: “Nigella’s relentless positivity is the perfect balance with Paul. Amazing combination.” “I think the addition of Nigella was a genius move and whoever’s idea it was needs a raise,” a fifth confessed. Most read in TV A sixth added: “I love Nigella. She obviously knows her stuff that’s a given, but she talks well, and also like how she takes PROPER bites out of all the food.” Meanwhile others fumed ‘what a cop out’ after nobody was sent home during the first 2026 episode. During the showstopper, which saw the bakers create a self portrait cake with two-tiers, contestant Shannon had to pull out because she was unwell. And because of that, at the end of the episode, viewers were fuming when it was revealed that nobody was going home. Clara, 24, Connie, 63, Danni, 25, Gabe, 32, Gary, 67, Molly, 31, Moyin, 22, Nikki, 50, Shannon, 29, Tom, 25, Yannis, 28, and star baker Mo, 21, will all be back next week.