Nigella Lawson might be the worst thing that ever happens to Bake Off, by her own admission
A comment the 'home cook' made in 2015 has come back to haunt her…
Nigella Lawson is apparently the frontrunner to present the Great British Bake Off following Prue Leith’s departure.
But is she really the best person for the job? According to the woman herself, no, she isn’t…
Nigella Lawson favourite to join Bake Off
Prue Leith announced her departure from the show after nine years in a statement yesterday. She said at the age of 86, now “feels like the right time” to exit.
Since then, rumours have swirled over who could join Paul Hollywood as one of the show’s two judges.
According to The Sun, Nigella, 66, is in “contract discussions to join the team.
They alleged: “All being well, Nigella will be heating up the famous tent soon. Nigella’s recognised worldwide. She’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.”
But is she any good when it comes to baking? Now, as any baker will know, baking really is an exact science. Plus, Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood is a stickler for sticking to baking rules, not to mention precision, so would he get along with Nigella’s more relaxed style of working? All the signs are pointing to no…
‘I’m a home cook’
A comment made by the TV cook back in 2015 has resurfaced, revealing her true feelings about the Channel 4 baking competition.
Speaking to the Radio Times, she said: “People know how limited my skills are. I wouldn’t get on to Bake Off. It’s too complicated. I like baking in a homespun kind of way – if I make cookies, I don’t expect them to all look the same. I’m not being modest, I’m a home cook.
“I don’t have the qualifications to say to people: ‘You can’t eat that, you can’t eat this.’ I’m not in a position to preach anything to anyone else.”
Speaking to Good Housekeeping in 2017, she also said: “You know on Bake Off where they say you have to make 18 biscuits and they have to be identical? I have never had two biscuits that look identical. We live in a world where there is so much, so glossily done. If I am given a cake, I like to see that it has been made by someone, and that it’s not even. That is what cooking is. Things can’t look like they come from a factory.”
Nigella tipped to be an ‘instant hit’ in the tent
Bookies still name Nigella as the woman set to take over from Prue, though.
Pundit Arena‘s Joe Lyons told us: “With Prue Leith confirmed to be stepping away from The Great British Bake Off, oddsmakers believe producers are keen to secure a replacement who can match her authority while bringing fresh star appeal. Nigella Lawson has emerged as the clear frontrunner at 4/6. With many convinced her mix of culinary credibility and television glamour would make her an instant hit in the famous tent.
“There’s strong interest further down the market, with former winner Nadiya Hussain well backed at 4/1 and Caroline Waldegrave appealing to those expecting a more traditional appointment. While several nostalgic and celebrity names remain in contention at bigger prices, bookies say the early betting points firmly towards a big-name signing rather than a low-key replacement.”
Of course, Prue replaced Dame Mary Berry when she stepped down from her role on the show. And, when Prue stepped back from the Christmas specials, Caroline Waldegrave replaced her. So could we see Caroline taking on a full-time role on the main show?
A spokesman was giving nothing away. They said: “The new judge will be announced in due course.”
Read more: The Great British Bake Off needs to fix one big problem before it comes back
