The Great British Bake Off is almost back, and Channel 4 has released the first official look at its new line-up. Nigella Lawson joins Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding in the famous tent for the 2026 series, with filming now complete ahead of the show’s return next month.
The new image was taken on Lawson’s very first day of filming and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bake Off, with Nigella joining Paul on judging duties as Alison and Noel return to guide a fresh group of bakers through another series of challenges and showstoppers.
When Does The Great British Bake Off 2026 Start?
The Great British Bake Off will return to Channel 4 in September 2026, although an exact premiere date has not yet been announced. Channel 4 confirmed on 16 August that filming has wrapped and the new series will air next month, so fans should not have too much longer to wait.
We will update this article as soon as Channel 4 confirms the official start date and time.
Is Nigella Lawson Replacing Prue Leith on Bake Off?
Yes. Nigella Lawson was announced as the new Bake Off judge in January following Dame Prue Leith’s decision to leave the series after nine years in the tent. Nigella joins longtime judge Paul Hollywood, with Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding remaining as presenters.
Channel 4 says viewers can expect Nigella to bring her familiar warmth, humour and love of flavour to the judging table, with the first image now giving fans a proper look at the new foursome together.
For CultureCues, Nigella Lawson joining Bake Off feels like such a good fit. We will definitely miss Prue, but Nigella alongside Paul, Alison and Noel already looks like a brilliant new line-up, and we cannot wait to see what she makes of the bakers, the showstoppers and, most importantly, those Hollywood handshakes. We may need to book a dentist appointment, because September just got a little sweeter.
The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 in September 2026.
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