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Channel 4 programme drew 7.1 million viewers compared with 6.2 million for the BBC’s Saturday night flagship show



Nigella Lawson has been credited with The Great British Bake Off overtaking Strictly Come Dancing for the first time.

The 66-year-old chef and TV presenter has won over viewers after replacing Dame Prue Leith as a judge alongside Paul Hollywood in the latest series of the show.

The change has led to more viewers tuning in for the Channel 4 baking programme than BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

More than 7.1 million people watched Lawson’s first episode, according to figures from the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb).

In contrast, Strictly’s first live show was watched by 6.2 million people, nearly 1.5 million fewer than its series opener last year.

Channel 4 bosses are said to be so happy that they have signed her up for a second series for an estimated £500,000, The Sun reported.

Bake Off, the BBC’s Saturday night flagship programme, continues to struggle after the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Reacting to the figures, a television insider told the newspaper: “It was clear as soon as filming got under way what a great addition Nigella was to the team.

“The cast and crew knew she was something special on set, but it’s the all-important ratings that matter and, in this case, they did not lie. Once the first couple of episodes aired, there was a real public outpouring of love for the domestic goddess.

“It was a no-brainer for bosses to get her locked in for another series and there was never any question from her side about signing on again. It was an easy yes.”

Lawson has been widely applauded since replacing Dame Prue on the show. Sources added that the “Nigella factor” was having an impact, with applications for the next series of the show already “booming”.

Dame Prue said she had been one of the millions to tune in, adding that she thought Lawson’s debut was “terrific”.

Lawson previously told how Paul Hollywood told her to take smaller mouthfuls while judging the contestants’ creations.

Speaking to Woman’s Weekly magazine, the chef and TV presenter said: “At the beginning, when there were all the bakers there, I did feel I was challenging my system. But I like to be able to taste things properly. I’m an eater.

“I did actually implore Paul: ‘Gosh, how do you manage all that?’ He said: ‘Well, you could take smaller mouthfuls.’ And I realised no, I couldn’t.”

Speaking about his new supporting cast, Hollywood said: “She’s a breath of fresh air, certainly for my male mates. They’ve told me they’ll be tuning in for the first time in 16 years.”

The new format of presenting on Strictly – shared between Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe – has come under heavy scrutiny.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/26/nigella-lawson-star-factor-bake-off-overtake-strictly/