Nigella Lawson is joining the judging panel for the 2026 series of The Great British Bake Off, Channel 4 has confirmed. The cookery author and broadcaster will sit alongside long-standing judge Paul Hollywood for the 17th series of the popular amateur baking competition.
Lawson replaces Dame Prue Leith, who stepped down from the main programme earlier this year after nine years in the role. The appointment marks one of the most significant changes to the show’s line-up since it moved to its current broadcaster. Hollywood, who has been with the programme since its debut in 2010, remains on the panel.
New Format and Challenges
The upcoming series will introduce several significant updates to the established format. Among the new features is ‘Audience Choice Week’, a segment where viewers are given the opportunity to suggest the specific challenges the amateur bakers must face in the tent.
For the first time in the show’s history, a ‘Friends and Family’ challenge will also be introduced. This new addition will allow the 12 competing bakers to invite guests into the tent to assist them during a designated task. The 2026 contestant line-up includes a diverse range of amateur bakers aged between 21 and 67, including a paediatric doctor and a drag king.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 confirmed the judging transition as production prepares for the 2026 series, which will be available on the channel and its streaming service.
Companion Show Rebranded
The changes extend to the show’s companion programming. The spin-off series, previously known as The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, has been revamped and renamed Second Helpings for the 2026 season.
The rebranded sister show will continue the tradition of providing a secondary look at the week’s events in the tent, featuring interviews with departing bakers and exclusive unseen footage from the main series.
The 2026 series of The Great British Bake Off will air on Tuesday nights at 8pm. Official confirmation of the exact premiere date is expected closer to the start of the autumn broadcast schedule.