Nigella Lawson Debuts as Great British Bake Off Judge, Impressing Critics Nigella Lawson made her debut as a judge on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night, replacing Prue Leith. Critics praised her revitalizing presence. Nigella Lawson made her debut as a judge on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night, replacing Prue Leith, 86. The domestic goddess, 66, joined Paul Hollywood as a judge on the Channel 4 show, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding returned as hosts. Critics have praised the hiring, saying Lawson has revitalised the format after 17 series. Critical Acclaim for Nigella LawsonThe Daily Mail's Jan Moir wrote that show veteran Paul, 60, has met his match in Lawson. She said that across all series he assumed a leadership and patriarchal seniority that was not always his to take, but those days are over. Moir added that Hollywood has been put firmly back in his cake box.Anita Singh gave a five-star review for The Telegraph, declaring that Bake Off and Lawson are a match made in heaven. Singh added that Lawson brings a new lease of life, glamour, intelligence and poise, and a hefty dollop of innuendo.The Guardian's Lucy Mangan also awarded the opening episode five stars, writing that Lawson moves through Bake Off dispensing words of wisdom, generous praise and gentle criticism, just as confident as Leith but a much quieter, more soothing presence that works perfectly with Alison Hammond's ebullience and Paul Hollywood's teacher-ish vibe.Ben Dowell for The Times wrote that Lawson took to Bake Off as a domestic goddess should, with all the sensual, self-confident elegance of a world-renowned patissier placing a raspberry on smooth butter icing. He noted that even her co-judge Paul Hollywood, not a man who dishes out praise easily, seemed impressed by her charm and know-how, calling her brilliant.Writing for Metro in a four-star review, Adam Miller said that the Domestic Goddess is easily the best thing that could ever have happened to Bake Off, and from the very first episode it is clear she is the lifeline Bake Off needed to ensure it could easily have another decade or more in it yet.Mixed Reviews and Viewer ReactionsSasha Morris for the Express admitted that Lawson did not shake up the show as much as she had hoped. She wrote that Lawson added a new touch of glamour and was a soft contrast to Paul's stern critique, offering more nuanced feedback versus Paul's technical. However, it seemed she simply fitted into the format, rather than shaking things up, and after 17 seasons, you need to keep it fresh.The Independent's Nick Hilton was similarly disappointed, writing that Lawson's arrival might have been an opportunity for a harder refresh, adding that after two decades and the spawning of multiple imitators, the format is very tired.Viewer reaction was universal in its praise of Lawson, with fans praising her for making the most of the chance to taste the bakers' creations by helping herself to a big portion. They wrote comments such as Yay - Nigella Lawson is back on the telly! and Crying at Bake Off having Prue Leith regenerate into Nigella Lawson. Other comments included Love how Nigella is inhaling these cakes - proper tasting, what a woman! and Nigella bringing back the joy, wit and honesty that Mel and Sue had. One viewer wrote, Think this means Nigella Lawson is now officially the incumbent Doctor, and another said, Nigella Lawson on Bake Off. My goodness. I adore that woman. Absolutely adore Nigella Lawson. I'm deeply content at the moment.Episode Highlights and Elimination TwistBake Off's opening episode saw the surprise news that no one would be leaving the tent, after Shannon was forced to withdraw from the Showstopper due to illness. Hosts Alison and Noel then shared that due to Shannon's exit, no one would be leaving the tent, with Mo awarded the Star Baker honour after impressing with his first week of creations.Lawson explained to the camera that the fairest thing is to give everyone a chance, go into next week and prove themselves then. Fans took to X to share their frustration over the decision to axe the week one elimination, with one calling it a bloody cop out. Another said that Shannon was not even on the chopping block, so they were unsure why they could not get rid of someone else, other than for the plot.Bake Off continues next Tuesday on Channel 4.