Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Nigella to replace Prue on Bake Off?

(56 Posts)
tanith Mon 26-Jan-26 18:48:06

I really can’t stand Nigella so we shall if I still watch after the first episode 🤔 what about you?

charley68 Wed 28-Jan-26 21:29:43

Excellent news. I love Nigella. I wonder if Paul will be all of a fluster?
The meecrowavay was such a fun comment, and got the reaction that Nigella wanted. I think Poppy cooks has done something similar to a word - but I cannot remember the word now

I did wonder about Caroline Waldegrave having the job. She did stand in for Prue on a couple of the Celebrity shows I think?

Samwam Wed 28-Jan-26 19:36:18

Says Meecro Wavay for microwave. smile
I like Nigella.

Geordiegirl1 Wed 28-Jan-26 19:26:27

I love her and hope she gets that creepy Paul sorted out. X

DrWatson Wed 28-Jan-26 17:50:04

For Aveline, and any similar "beginning of the end" stuff. The broadcaster will check viewing figures before your opinion, and the reaction of the all-important advertisers.

I doubt Nigella will be a major downturn from Prue Leith, though she was OK IMO.

The problem for us with the show was the introduction of the wretched Hammond woman, plus a gathering realisation that the show's content has got stale (not from the ovens, just what the contestants have to do). Same old . . .

Oh, I'm assured by an expert source that the male viewership will rise with Nigella there.

Bukkie Wed 28-Jan-26 17:33:55

I don't know much about Nigella so will give her a chance. I liked Prue and will miss her. Nobody can ever be as bad as the horrendous, cold, patronising, sanctimonious Mary Berry. I hate the woman and run and turn the television off when her smug face appears. For some bizarre reason she thinks she is the nation's sweetheart.

kittylester Wed 28-Jan-26 17:18:21

I's just like to mention that the person leaving GBBO is PruE Leith.

MayBee70 Wed 28-Jan-26 16:58:54

Grandmotherto8

I first became aware of Ms Lawson when her husband, John Diamond the Observer columnist, was dying of cancer. His weekly column was poignant and thought-provoking. He frequently mentioned his wife, Nigella and her wonderful cooking. I enjoy Ms Lawson's cook books and television programmes, she is a talented writer and relaxed onscreen. I hope she will settle into her Bake-Off role and bring her own special talents.

Yes. It was terribly sad, wasn’t it sad.

icanhandthemback Wed 28-Jan-26 16:29:18

It is a surprising choice but she's got to be a better bet than Alison Hammond who makes me cringe.
I went to see Sue Perkins on tour recently and she is just the loveliest person. She did a bit of a mashup of her time on Bake Off and it was very funny.

merlotgran Wed 28-Jan-26 16:27:34

I’ve seen Nigella live and her self deprecating sense of humour, warmth and ability to entertain will stand her in good stead for GBBO.
I’m sure she’s professional enough to be able to adjust her presenting style to suit the programme.

knspol Wed 28-Jan-26 15:52:54

I like Nigella but Bake Off doesn't seem to be quite her thing. Good luck to her.

Grandmotherto8 Wed 28-Jan-26 15:23:34

I first became aware of Ms Lawson when her husband, John Diamond the Observer columnist, was dying of cancer. His weekly column was poignant and thought-provoking. He frequently mentioned his wife, Nigella and her wonderful cooking. I enjoy Ms Lawson's cook books and television programmes, she is a talented writer and relaxed onscreen. I hope she will settle into her Bake-Off role and bring her own special talents.

lixy Wed 28-Jan-26 15:18:12

Jodieb

Basgetti Who is Pru's son and what is wrong with him?
I bet there will be alot of flirting with Paul.

I thought there was some lady or dame taking over? Perhaps that didn't work out.

Danny Kruger was a Tory MP until he defected to Reform. Very right wing.

jodieb I hope there won’t be flirting. I think Nigella herself will be professional, but Noel and Alison’s job is to lighten the mood, so who knows what suggestiveness they might concoct.

Etoile2701 Wed 28-Jan-26 15:14:30

I prefer Nigella to Prue but I don't watch Bake Off anyway ....

lixy Wed 28-Jan-26 15:14:04

In the minority here - I like Pru Leith and will miss her.

Nigella Lawson has had an interesting, and not always easy, life. There are influences from around the world in her cooking so it will be interesting to see how she approaches judging.

I am looking forward to the next series.

Tenko Wed 28-Jan-26 15:12:57

I stopped watching bake off when Mary , Mel and Sue left . I like Nigella and might start watching it again , although I’m not a fan of Alison Hammond and other guy , can’t remember his name .

Jodieb Wed 28-Jan-26 15:06:32

Basgetti Who is Pru's son and what is wrong with him?
I bet there will be alot of flirting with Paul.

I thought there was some lady or dame taking over? Perhaps that didn't work out.

Gin Wed 28-Jan-26 15:03:14

Obviously a marmite lady!

Purplepixie Wed 28-Jan-26 14:56:59

Oh NO!!!!! I will not be watching. I cannot stand her one bit. I am sure there would have been a better choice even if they had picked BASIL BRUSH!

spabbygirl Wed 28-Jan-26 14:50:38

Thank goodness Prue's gone! I couldn't bear her tense, hard style, hideous colours and she's given birth to a Tory/Reform MP to make it worse. She never had a fraction of the warmth Mary had.
Nigella will be great, I think she was told to do all that flirty stuff to the camera when she 1st started so hopefully she'll be at a more natural level now.

twiglet77 Wed 28-Jan-26 14:36:58

Kats2

I have to pick up on two of your comments, and I like Nigella so often watch her re-runs, however I can honestly say I have never seen her “tossing her untied hair back” or cooking in a “neat black jacket” she usually has a dress on..

I must have imagined it.
Oh, wait…
Perhaps the jacket is very dark blue?

My hair is shorter but still clipped back when I’m baking, and I do wear a cotton apron

Frenchgalinspain Wed 28-Jan-26 14:28:44

hjmhill

Basgetti

Oh, might give it a watch now.

Don’t like Prue Leith (mostly because of her awful son, which I know is very unfair but there we are).

I don't think she likes him much either! She gets on much better with her adopted daughter.

Quite fond of Chef Nigella.

Frenchgalinspain Wed 28-Jan-26 14:26:55

Gwyllt

Don’t often watch bake of but give Nigella a chance

Though I am not British, I am very fond of Nigella and have her cookbooks.

She does a marvelous job with a variety of Mediterrean Cuisines, especially Greek.

GRAMERCY Wed 28-Jan-26 14:25:30

Can’t stand Pru so looking forward to Nigella, better still bring Mary, Mel and Sue back, actually funny!

Frannygranny Wed 28-Jan-26 14:24:41

I so agree with the OP. I find her supercilious and that her programmes are all about how sexy and suggestive she can be! I tend to watch GBBO with the sound off and the subtitles on these days.

Silvertwigs Wed 28-Jan-26 14:23:58

tanith I adore the woman and am so looking forward to her starting this chapter in her life 🌷