Reports of tension between Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood have emerged as the new judge joins The Great British Bake Off, with Hollywood’s helicopter commute said to have caused friction behind the scenes.
Lawson is understood to have been unimpressed by the veteran judge’s habit of flying to the Berkshire set in his Robinson R44 Raven, reportedly viewing the highly conspicuous arrival as an unnecessary display of wealth.
Sources cited by the Daily Mail claimed the pair had not immediately formed an easy working relationship, with Hollywood said to be unsettled by Lawson’s arrival after years of judging alongside Prue Leith.
The reports come as Lawson prepares to make her debut in the famous white tent following Leith’s departure from the Channel 4 programme. Channel 4 and production company Love Productions released a first picture of the new line-up in August, showing Lawson alongside Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
However, Channel 4 has rejected suggestions of a serious feud. Kiran Nataraja, the broadcaster’s director of streaming and content strategy, said at the Edinburgh TV Festival that Lawson and Hollywood were not “arguing about helicopters the whole time”.
Lawson’s appointment was announced in January 2026, with the official Bake Off website describing her expertise, empathy and humour as well suited to the tent. The new series is due to return to Channel 4 on September 22.
