First look at Nigella Lawson with her new Great British Bake Off co-stars as she joins Channel 4 show

CHANNEL 4 has released the first official snap of Nigella Lawson in her brand new role as a professional cake taster. Ahead of the new season of The Great British Bake Off, the production has unveiled a glossy snap of long-standing judge Paul Hollywood with returning presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Nigella Lawson (second right) with fellow judge Paul Hollywood (left) and hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding ahead of the new series of The Great British Bake Off Credit: PA Nigella gleefully commented: “I love being part of this gang!” Credit: Getty Joining them in the image is a beaming Nigella, who replaces Prue Leith as the second judge. “Life is about to get sweeter. Bake Off is coming soon…” reads the caption next to an Instagram post of the foursome. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! To which Nigella, 66, gleefully commented: “I love being part of this gang!” In the photo, Nigella dons a slick black dress as she links arms with Alison, looking radiant in a floral number. he Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 next month, with the line-up of bakers vying for Nigella and Paul’s approval set to be unveiled soon Credit: instagram/@nigellalawson Paul and Nigella were said to be clashing during filming at one point Credit: Channel 4 Paul and Noel round off the quartet, all of them grinning from ear to ear. In a press release alongside the photo, Channel 4 reveal that the image was taken on the very first day of filming and Nigella’s first ever day in the tent – marking the beginning of a new chapter for the show. It goes on: “Following January’s announcement that Nigella Lawson would join the show as judge, the Bake Off foursome have spent the hottest summer together in the tent, with a new intake of bakers rising to each of the challenges. “With filming now complete, viewers can expect to see Nigella bringing her trademark warmth, wit and passion for flavour to the tent, alongside Paul Hollywood and his famously exacting eye for a great bake on judging duties as Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return to guide the bakers and keep them smiling through the thrills, spills and showstoppers in what promises to be a truly delicious series.” Most read in TV The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 next month, with the line-up of bakers vying for Nigella and Paul’s approval set to be unveiled soon. This comes after rumours swirled that Nigella had reportedly labelled her Bake Off co-star Paul ‘cringe’ and that the new judge was thought to have deemed the superstar baker’s movements ‘a bit gauche’ – while he is coming across ‘as a right berk’. According to The Daily Mail, sources said that tensions were already escalating between the pair, as an insider told the publication: “They aren’t really getting on too well.” The source claimed Paul prefers working with his previous co-star Prue Leith – while Nigella has a very different style to her hosting. “Nigella is sexy, she’s classy and she’s a national treasure,” the source explained. “Paul commutes 120 miles from Kent to The Great British Bake Off set in Berkshire in his £500k helicopter. “Put it this way: imagine if you’re super-rich Nigella and you see your co-star turning up in a helicopter, presumably to avoid the traffic and have a little bit of a show-off…” Comment now