On Tuesday night, Nigella Lawson made her long-awaited debut on Great British Bake Off, stepping into the brightly spectacled shoes of Prue Leith.
Dubbed the “legendary, the iconic Nigella Lawson” by Alison Hammond, the chef blew a friendly kiss at the bakers as she joined Alison, Paul Hollywood and Noel Fielding for her first outing in the Bake Off tent.
Nigella’s hiring was met with a rapturous reception when it was first announced at the start of the year, with many declaring it the perfect fit for Channel 4’s baking show – meaning expectations were high when it came to her first show.
Fortunately, her opening episode was full of Bake Off’s signature laughs, drama and innuendo – with two major cake disasters and plenty of tears.
After the episode aired, critics were overwhelmingly positive about Nigella’s appearance, with Metro praising her for the “pedigree, the warmth, the obvious fit with everything Bake Off stands for.”
They even compared her launch episode to the BBC heyday of the baking show.
“Watching Nigella seamlessly play her role and blend in with Paul, Alison and Noel is actually a stark reminder of how much has been missing since the BBC years with Bake Off titans Mel, Sue and Mary Berry,” their four-star take enthused.
In a five-star review for The Guardian, they applauded how easily Nigella fitted into the existing core group of presenters and judges.
“She moves through Bake Off dispensing words of wisdom, generous praise and gentle criticism, just as confident as Leith but a much quieter, more soothing presence that works perfectly with Alison Hammond’s ebullience and Paul Hollywood’s teacher-ish vibe,” they said.
The Telegraph was similarly impressed with the way Nigella conducted herself in the tent, claiming: “She brings glamour, intelligence and poise. And, of course, a hefty dollop of innuendo.”
“Lawson is supportive in her judging but not afraid to tell the bakers where they can improve. She gives helpful advice,” they also praised.
The Times called Nigella the “icing on the cake” of Bake Off, insisting that the series is in “safe hands” with the Domestic Goddess at the helm.
“I particularly loved the way she raised her eyebrows when everyone chortled at the line “I think the nut size is quite huge”. I’m with Nigella, we’re all with Nigella, who simply added to the cheerful gaiety of a rock-solid format on her terms,” their critic said.
Digital Spy was surprised at Nigella’s debut and how reserved and unraunchy she was.
“If you thought you knew what to expect from Nigella… think again,” the outlet’s review said.
“She is bright and vibrant, with just a touch of nervousness that gives you a sense of how much this new venture means to her. Her vulnerability is endearing and warming, as is the affectionate way she engages with the bakers, like during the showstopper challenge.”
Not everyone was as enamoured with the episode, though, with The Independent suggesting that Nigella’s hiring was a missed opportunity to switch up the “tired” Bake Off formula.
Despite finding it hard to “muster any enthusiasm” for the series, The Indy’s review did praise Nigella for being a “sympathetic ear for contestants”, even if they did doubt “how tight her baking analysis is going to be.”
“By the end of her first day in the tent, she feels part of the fabric. Just another square on the gingham tablecloth,” the review concluded.
Posting on Instagram before the episode aired, she admitted: “I can’t pretend I’m not nervous about tonight but I’m excited, too.
“It’s a huge honour to be part of something as cherished (and rightly so) as Bake Off, and I’m enormously grateful, somewhat overawed and supremely happy.”
“Thanks to you all for your messages of encouragement,” she also gushed. “I appreciate it from the bottom of my racing heart!
“Above all, of course, thank you to our lovely fresh batch of bakers. I can’t wait for you to meet them…”
Great British Bake Off continues on Tuesday night on Channel 4.
