Nigella Lawson has said that she is "excited" ahead of her upcoming role a the new judge on the Great British Bake Off.
The TV chef is to replace outgoing judge Prue Leith ahead of the new series of the popular cookery show. She will appear on the new series of the Channel Four show, alongside long term judge Paul Hollywood, and presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
"Yes, I am a teeny bit frightened. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that", Lawson told This Morning. "I am excited, but I take it very seriously. The thing about Bake Off is that it’s about the programme – which is an institution of national treasure status – and it’s about the bakers. And I just want to be there and be a part of it".
Lawson went on to joke that she is the "clumsiest person in the world", and hopes that she does not knock over any of the contestants dishes in the new series.
She said: "I’m not someone who looks for fault, I look for pleasure".
"Paul Hollywood is Mr Technical. I’m all about the eating", the food writer added. "If I see my job as eating, it’s not too daunting. I can eat".
Lawson feels that the show is "so enduringly popular" because "it’s about community".
"What I feel is that they’re mixing the cosiness of baking with this, if you like, this adrenaline of competition and drama. And I feel, in a way, what’s important is not to lose either", she explained.
Lawson also paid homage to the "fantastic" Prue Leith as well as Mary Berry, saying: "Prue is just fantastic, and Mary Berry was just fantastic before".
"They have given me the honour of offering me this, and I just want to do it as well as I can".
Earlier, Prue Leith had announced that she was stepping down from the judging panel for the show of The Great British Bake Off after nine series, saying that it “feels like the right time to step back", adding that she is looking forward to spending more time on personal interests, including gardening.
More on this story here.
