Filming for Channel 4's 17th series of The Great British Bake Off has officially wrapped, as brand-new judge Nigella Lawson is pictured for the first time with her fellow co-stars. In January, it was announced that the beloved TV chef would take over from Dame Prue Leith as a judge on Bake Off, joining Paul Hollywood and hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond.
The photograph, taken on Lawson's first day of filming, has sparked excitement for the upcoming series, which premieres on Channel 4 in September 2026. As is tradition, the show has been filmed over the hottest summer months, with a fresh intake of bakers competing for the title of Bake Off champion.
Lawson took to Instagram to express how much she 'loved every minute' of filming the show, before thanking her co-stars for making her 'feel so instantly part of the family.' Reflecting on her first series on the show, she said 'it’s a real honour to be part of something so special.'
Speculation starts as new season fast approaches
From collapsed cakes to personality clashes, diehard fans are already getting excited for all the drama to unfold in the Bake Off tent. Channel 4 has told viewers to expect to see Lawson's 'trademark warmth, wit and passion for flavour' and the return of Hollywood's 'famously exacting eye for a great bake.'
Back in May, Hammond appeared on breakfast show Lorraine, sharing that the new judge duo are 'so good together.' Elaborating on the matter, she said 'I’ll be honest with you, they don’t always agree, and it’s so good!’
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Series 17 will see Nigella Lawson take over from Prue Leith, who has been a judge on the show for nine years.
A changing of the guard
Prior to this series, Leith had been a regular fixture of the show since 2017, replacing Mary Berry after GBBO moved from the BBC to Channel 4. Speaking on her departure from Bake Off, Leith said: ‘Now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!).’
Leith’s departure followed a gradual reduction in her Bake Off commitments. In 2024, Leith announced she would step back from the celebrity series, citing the pressures compounded by such a busy schedule.
On her new role on the show, Lawson said: ‘I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now! Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.’
About Nigella Lawson
Lawson is one of the UK’s most recognisable cookbook authors and television cooks, with a career spanning more than three decades. She first rose to prominence as a food journalist before publishing her debut cookbook, How to Eat, in 1998.
She has since authored numerous best-selling cookbooks and fronted a wide range of television series in the UK and internationally. While Lawson is best known for her home-focused approach to cooking, she has also appeared as a judge on several food and cooking competitions, most recently MasterChef Australia and Kitchen HQ.
(Header image credit: Channel 4)
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