Bake Off's Nigella Lawson: 'I actually did worry that I didn't deserve the honour of being a judge'
Nigella Lawson has replaced Dame Prue Leith as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
Nigella Lawson worried she "didn't deserve" to be a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
The 66-year-old cook felt nervous as her predecessors, Dames Prue Leith, 86, and Mary Berry, 91, were beloved faces of the show, thanks to the decades of experience and charm they brought to the tent, and filling their shoes would be difficult.
Nigella, who is judging alongside Paul Hollywood, 60, is quoted by the new issue of Bella magazine as saying: "It would have been odd if I hadn't been a bit nervous before I started. It's a big deal.
"I actually did worry that I didn't deserve the honour of being a judge, so Paul and I met up, and we chatted. I love baking, although I'm a bit more ramshackle than Paul!
"But he made me feel that, yes, I can do it. So I did.
"I just wanted to make sure, because I was following two very eminent ladies - Prue Leith and Mary Berry."
Nigella immediately felt at ease after entering the Channel 4 show's famed white tent, thanks to Paul, hosts Alison Hammond, 51, and Noel Fielding, 53, and the programme's crew.
She said: "I felt at home in about two minutes flat. It was wonderful; an incredible experience. Walking into the tent is quite moving. I loved it. They all made my arrival in the tent as easy as possible.
"Alison and Noel are just so lovely to work with as well.
"It sounds so cheesy to say it feels like a family, but it does. And it isn't just these guys; it's the crew as well.
"It really is a lovely atmosphere."
Paul thinks his fellow judge is a great addition to The Great British Bake Off.
He said: "Nigella has such a wonderful way with words, and she's very good at explaining to the people watching what the bake tastes like. She was brilliant."
Although the pair "argued on a couple of points" - notably on flavours - their "fundamentals were the same".
Paul added: "I just think she fits in beautifully."
Nigella is already proving popular on The Great British Bake Off.
Asked if he was thrilled that she agreed to be a judge, Paul said: "Yes - me and about half the male population!
"I've never had so many calls from friends to come to the tent to watch Bake Off.
"I've been doing it for 17 years, and I've had so many calls in the last six months from friends I haven't heard from for years!"
A new batch of 12 bakers will be hoping to impress judges Paul and Nigella with their bakes from September 22.
Among the colourful personalities is marketing graduate Clara, a marketing graduate who is devoted to her pet pygmy hedgehog, while National Health Service (NHS) worker Connie has earned the nickname "the Cake Lady”. Danni, meanwhile, combines her passion for video games with baking.
Gabe, dubbed the "Daddy of Birmingham drag", has dreamed of appearing on The Great British Bake Off since he discovered the show aged 13, while Gary only found an enthusiasm for baking later in life.
For charity worker Molly, she keeps her grandmother's influence alive through her cakes. Student Moyin first picked up baking at the age of five, while law graduate Mo was even younger when he started, beginning at the age of three.
Elsewhere, advertising executive Nikki turns to baking as a form of therapy. Shannon brings a love of food and the outdoors to the famous white tent, while Tom describes himself as a "northern diva".
Doctor Yannis is hoping to use his time on The Great British Bake Off to challenge the idea that Bangladeshi men have no place in the kitchen.
The Great British Bake Off returns on September 22 at 8pm on Channel 4.
