Great British Bake Off draws 3.4 million viewers as Nigella Lawson makes debut

The Great British Bake Off attracted 3.4 million viewers to Channel 4 last night as fans tuned in to see new judge Nigella Lawson make her debut in the famous tent, with the audience expected to roughly double once catch-up viewing is included.

Much of the attention surrounding the new series had centred on Nigella Lawson, who has joined Paul Hollywood on the judging panel following Prue Leith’s departure.

And her first appearance appears to have gone down well with both fans and critics.

Lawson quickly made herself at home in the Bake Off tent, bringing her trademark warmth and playful personality to the judging table alongside Hollywood, while presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond returned to oversee the competition.

The response from viewers was broadly positive, with fans praising Lawson for bringing a sense of fun to the tent and enjoying the chemistry between the new judging line-up.

Meet this year’s Bake Off contestants

Twelve amateur bakers have entered the tent this year, coming from a wide range of backgrounds and bringing their own baking styles and personalities to the competition.

The contestants include Clara, 24, a marketing graduate from Hertfordshire; Moyin, 22, a political economy student from Essex; Mo, 21, a law student from the West Midlands; and drag artist Gabe, as well as Nikki, Shannon, Danni, Tom, Molly, Yannis, Gary and Connie.

The bakers were immediately put through their paces in the opening Cake Week, with the contestants facing a series of challenges designed to test both their technical skills and creativity.

The first episode featured a chocolate stout cake Signature, a coffee and walnut Technical and a self-portrait Showstopper.

Mo was named Star Baker, while there was no elimination in the opening episode.

Shannon was unable to complete her bake after becoming unwell during the competition.

Nigella’s first week in the tent

Lawson’s appointment had been one of the biggest talking points ahead of the new series, following Leith’s decision to leave after nine series.

Her debut gives the long-running Channel 4 show a new dynamic, with the food writer and broadcaster bringing years of experience and her distinctive style to the judging panel.

The positive response from viewers suggests there is plenty of interest in seeing how Lawson settles into the role as the competition progresses.

For the bakers, however, there is little time to relax.

Next week is Biscuit Week

Next week’s episode will see the contestants move on from cakes as Biscuit Week arrives in the Bake Off tent.

The bakers will face a series of new challenges designed to test their precision, creativity and ability to work with biscuits.

After the first episode’s focus on cakes, the competition will begin to intensify as the contestants fight to impress Hollywood and Lawson and secure their place in the next round.

With the overnight audience standing at 3.4 million and catch-up viewing expected to significantly increase the final figure, all eyes will now be on how the new-look Bake Off performs when Biscuit Week arrives.

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