AceShowbiz - Nigella Lawson made her first appearance as a judge on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night, Daily Mail reports. She took over from Prue Leith, joining Paul Hollywood on the judging panel, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding returned as hosts for the new series.

Dailymail also reported that critics largely welcomed Lawson’s presence, praising her for injecting glamour, intelligence, and a fresh dynamic into the show’s format after 17 series. Some noted that Paul Hollywood’s role seemed less dominant with Lawson’s addition. However, a portion of critics felt the format remained largely unchanged and called for further innovation. Viewers responded positively to Lawson’s enthusiasm for tasting the bakers’ creations and her overall charm. The episode featured a contestant named Shannon who withdrew from the Showstopper challenge due to illness, resulting in no elimination during the first week. This decision frustrated some viewers on social media, who labeled it a cop-out. Meanwhile, Mo earned the Star Baker title after impressing the judges with his bakes.

Nigella Lawson is best known as a food writer and journalist, as well as for her work on television, including her role as herself on "Today" from 2004 to 2009. She received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2008 for Outstanding Lifestyle Host for her show "Nigella Express." A London-based culinary personality, Lawson’s appointment on the Channel 4 baking competition marks a notable expansion of her TV career.

The addition of Lawson brings a well-known and respected figure to the show’s judging panel, potentially revitalizing the long-running series. While some viewers and critics remain divided on the impact of her arrival, her presence clearly signals a new chapter for Great British Bake Off as it seeks to maintain its popularity and evolve its format.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Dailymail.