Nigella Lawson Debuts as Judge on The Great British Bake Off Nigella Lawson made her debut as a judge on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night, replacing Prue Leith and impressing critics and viewers alike. Nigella Lawson made her debut as a judge on The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night, replacing Prue Leith on the Channel 4 show. Lawson, 66, joins Paul Hollywood, 60, as a judge, while Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return as hosts. The episode marked the start of the show's 18th series. Critics largely praised the new hiring, with several giving five-star reviews and declaring that Lawson has revitalised the format after 17 series. The opening episode also saw the surprise news that no one would be leaving the tent, after Shannon was forced to withdraw from the Showstopper due to illness.Critics Praise Nigella Lawson's DebutThe Daily Mail's Jan Moir was delighted to see that show veteran Paul Hollywood has met his match in Lawson. Moir wrote that previously Hollywood assumed a leadership and patriarchal seniority that was not always his to take, but those days are over, and this time 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 of Lawson that she 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 was also full of praise, writing 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. Even her co-judge Paul Hollywood, not a man who dishes out praise easily, seemed impressed by her charm and know-how. She was brilliant.Mixed Reviews and Viewer ReactionsWriting for Metro in a four-star review, Adam Miller says 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 to see she is the lifeline Bake Off needed to ensure it could easily have another decade or more in it yet.Sasha Morris for the Express admitted though that Lawson did not shake up the show as much as she had hoped. Morris wrote that Lawson added a new touch of glamour to the show and was a soft contrast to Paul's stern critique, offering more nuanced feedback to the bakers 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: Yay - Nigella Lawson is back on the telly! and Crying at Bake Off having Prue Leith regenerate into Nigella Lawson. Love how Nigella is inhaling these cakes - proper tasting, what a woman! Nigella bringing back the joy, wit and honesty that Mel and Sue had. Think this means Nigella Lawson is now officially the incumbent Doctor. Nigella Lawson on Bake Off. My goodness. I adore that woman. Absolutely adore Nigella Lawson. I'm deeply content at the moment.No Elimination in First EpisodeBake 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: 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: Shannon wasn't even on the chopping block, so unsure why they couldn't get rid of someone one. Other than for the plot #gbbo.Bake Off continues next Tuesday on Channel 4.