Mary Berry says Nigella Lawson has brought "fresh life" and glamour to Bake Off
Speaking at Cheltenham Literature Festival, Dame Mary Berry, 91, praised Nigella Lawson as a "joy" who has brought "fresh life" to The Great British Bake Off, and joked that Lawson must keep Paul Hollywood in check.
1 / 3
The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Dame Mary Berry, 91, said at Cheltenham Literature Festival that Nigella Lawson has brought "fresh life" to The Great British Bake Off. The IndependentLC “she’s said that Nigella Lawson has brought “fresh life” to the series.” Read at The Independent ↗ Evening StandardN “the 91-year-old said that Lawson has brought “fresh life” and “glamour” to the series.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Mixed · 2Berry was a judge on the show from 2010 to 2016 and was replaced by Prue Leith, whom Lawson has now succeeded. The IndependentLC “Berry was a judge on the wholesome cooking show from 2010 to 2016, before being replaced by Prue Leith.” Read at The Independent ↗ Evening StandardN “The 66-year-old TV cook replaced Dame Prue Leith” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Mixed · 2Berry said she was "delighted" Lawson is there, and joked that Lawson "has got to keep control of a certain person", adding that fellow judge Paul Hollywood "needs handling" and has a handshake "which keeps appearing". The IndependentLC ““I am delighted Nigella is there,” she said at Cheltenham Literature Festival. “She has got to keep control of a certain person. Paul [Hollywood] needs handling and he has this handshake, which keeps appearing.”” Read at The Independent ↗ Evening StandardN “She has got to keep control of a certain person. Paul [Hollywood] needs handling and he has this handshake, which keeps appearing.” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Mixed · 2Berry also said Lawson has brought "a touch of glamour" and "really likes tasting", saying she herself always took a proper mouthful so that nobody could say she had not tasted the food; she called Lawson "a joy" and predicted the show "will do really well". The IndependentLC “Nigella is a joy and I think she has brought new life and I think it will do really well. A touch of glamour.” Read at The Independent ↗ Evening StandardN “I always took a proper mouthful because if you just take a little bit, the person whose food you are tasting, their auntie will say ‘well, she didn’t even taste it’.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Centre · 1The Standard reported that Berry was speaking to promote her new book. Evening StandardN “Speaking at Cheltenham Literature Festival, to promote her new book” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Left · 1Hollywood, told the Radio Times that Lawson is "a very warm person, especially to the bakers", "more so than Mary was and I think more akin to Prue", while he remains "the constant" who is "constructively critical". The IndependentLC “"Nigella is a very warm person, especially to the bakers. More so than Mary was and I think more akin to Prue.”“So I remain in my position of being constructively critical.” Read at The Independent ↗
Centre · 1The Standard quoted Hollywood, 60, telling Woman Magazine that Lawson "fitted in beautifully" and is good at explaining what food tastes like; it also quoted Leith, 86, who said on This Morning in August that Lawson is "so well qualified" and that she was glad it was her. Evening StandardN “Nigella fitted in beautifully; it was lovely working with her.”“She’s so well qualified and knows exactly what she’s doing, and the audience love her.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Left · 1Lawson said she tries to look for positives in each bake, and that criticism should not make people feel inadequate but should say what they do well and what could be better. The IndependentLC ““You never want criticism to make people feel inadequate, or to be something that pampers them rather than encourages them”” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The Standard said critics have praised Lawson for giving the Channel 4 series a "new lease of life" and that fans have applauded her for "bringing joy back to the screen"; the show is hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Evening StandardN “Critics have praised Lawson for giving the Channel 4 series a “new lease of life”” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The IndependentLC “The series is hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Independent leads with Berry's praise and her quip about Hollywood, then adds Hollywood's Radio Times comments comparing Lawson's warmth to Berry's, Lawson's own approach to critiquing bakes, and her career background.
- Emphasis
- Hollywood's comparison of Lawson's warmth with Berry's, and Lawson's gentle approach to feedback.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Leith's or fans' reactions, or that Berry was promoting a book.
- Charged language
- “fresh life”“glamorous”
- For example
-
“Lawson has proved a success on Bake Off, with Hollywood declaring she is “warmer” to contestants on the show than Berry was.” — The Independent
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- The Evening Standard frames the story as Berry "making her thoughts clear", placing it within a run of praise for Lawson from critics, fans, Hollywood and Leith.
- Emphasis
- A consensus of approval for Lawson, including Leith's endorsement and Berry's book promotion.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include Hollywood's remark that Lawson is warmer than Berry was, or Lawson's own comments.
- Charged language
- “new lease of life”“bringing joy back to the screen”
- For example
-
“Critics have praised Lawson for giving the Channel 4 series a “new lease of life”, while fans have applauded the chef for “bringing joy back to the screen”.” — Evening Standard
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Mary Berry, 91, spoke at Cheltenham Literature Festival.
- She said Nigella Lawson has brought "fresh life" and "glamour" to Bake Off.
- Berry was a judge from 2010 to 2016; Lawson succeeded Prue Leith.
- Berry joked that Paul Hollywood needs handling and has a recurring handshake.
Mary Berry person
Berry says she is delighted Lawson is on the show and calls her a joy who brings glamour and new life, while joking that she must handle Hollywood.
““I am delighted Nigella is there,” she said at Cheltenham Literature Festival.” — The Independent
Nigella Lawson person
Lawson says she looks for positives in each bake and wants criticism to encourage rather than make people feel inadequate.
“it’s very important to let someone know what they’re doing well and what needs to be a bit better” — The Independent
Paul Hollywood person
Hollywood describes Lawson as warm and nurturing, and himself as "the constant" who stays constructively critical.
“There’s a very nurturing nature to Nigella, which was quite strong this year.” — The Independent
Left1 article
-
Dame Mary Berry says Nigella Lawson has brought ‘fresh life’ to Bake Off
Sympathetic Reports Berry's praise as a light, affectionate endorsement and adds Hollywood's and Lawson's comments on warmth and style.
Centre2 articles
-
Dame Mary Berry makes thoughts clear on new Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson
Celebratory Presents Berry's comments as one more voice in a chorus of approval for Lawson from critics, fans, Hollywood and Leith.
-
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 15 Oct 08:45 First The IndependentLC Dame Mary Berry says Nigella Lawson has brought ‘fresh life’ to Bake Off
- 15 Oct 10:32 +1h 47m Evening StandardN Dame Mary Berry makes thoughts clear on new Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson
- 15 Oct 11:16 +2h 31m Radio TimesN Dame Mary Berry says Great British Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson has brought "new life" to series
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…