Last week, it was announced that legendary food writer and TV cook, Nigella Lawson, would be taking over from Prue Leith as the new judge on The Great British Bake Off.
And yet, as this year’s line-up for Channel 4’s Celebrity Bake Off was revealed yesterday, eagle-eyed fans noticed a very key gap in the show’s panel.
That’s right – Nigella isn’t going to be hosting the annual charity edition. Here’s why.
Why Nigella Lawson isn’t hosting Celebrity Bake Off 2026
The line-up for 2026’s Celeb Bake Off has been revealed.
(LAURA PALMER/Channel 4)
Each year, Channel 4 each year airs a celebrity edition of Bake Off – the proceeds of which go to Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), a fundraising campaign that contributes to cancer research and lab developments of tests and treatments.
Among the stars in the 2026 line-up are Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague, One Day actor Ambika Mod and I’m A Celeb’s Sam Thompson.
Even US singer and internet personality Jojo Siwa has signed up for the gig (clearly, she can’t get enough of British reality shows following her appearance in Celebrity Big Brother last year).
But while familiar faces Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding are returning to host, and longstanding judge Paul Hollywood is returning for the spin-off, neither Prue Leith nor her replacement Nigella Lawson will feature in the special episodes.
Instead, pastry chef Cherish Finden – who judges Bake Off: The Professionals – will be judging alongside Hollywood.
Explaining Lawson’s absence from Celeb Bake Off, a representative from Channel 4 told Yahoo UK that filming for the star-studded spin-off had already taken place last year and that the new judge hadn’t been selected at that moment in time.
She will, however, feature in the civilian version of the beloved reality series later this year.
What she’s said about joining Bake Off
Prue Leith has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off for nine years.
(LAURA PALMER)
When the news was first announced, Lawson said that she was “uncharacteristically rather lost for words”.
“Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement,” she commented.
“The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a national treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it. I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come. I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!”
Of her replacement, Prue Leith stated: “I’m thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off. She’s sassy, fun and she knows her onions – and her croissants, cake and crumble.”
The Great British Bake Off for SU2C will premiere on Channel 4 in 2026.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source ca.news.yahoo.com ’
