Great British Bake Off presenter Alison Hammond has revealed a humorous behind-the-scenes moment involving new judge Nigella Lawson. Alison, who joined the show’s presenting team in 2023, will now be working alongside Nigella, who takes over from Dame Prue Leith.
In a recent interview with Radio Times after filming wrapped, Alison admitted she had been mistakenly calling Nigella by the wrong name. When asked about meeting Nigella, Alison laughed, “Oh, my God, Nigel! Don’t tell her I’ve been calling her Nigel for some reason!”
The change in judges marks the end of an era, with Dame Prue Leith stepping down after nine years on the show. Alison expressed that it was “sad” to see Dame Prue leave, who herself replaced Dame Mary Berry in 2017.
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Nigella Lawson, a celebrated chef, shared her excitement about joining the 17th series. She called the role “daunting” but said she was “bubbling with excitement.” Nigella described the Great British Bake Off as “more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure,” and felt honored to be part of it.
Dame Prue also praised Nigella, describing her as “sassy, fun,” and knowledgeable about baking favorites like croissants, cakes, and crumbles. On Instagram, Dame Prue reflected on her departure: “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years. I have genuinely loved it and will miss my fellow judge Paul, Alison, Noel, and all the teams.” She added that it felt like the right time to step back and enjoy other pursuits, including spending summers in her garden.
As the 17th series of the Bake Off prepares to return later this year, fans are eager to see how the refreshed judging panel performs. Alison shared a sweet Instagram photo with Nigella, captioning it: “What a beautiful lady.” Alongside Bake Off, Alison continues her work presenting ITV’s This Morning.