Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood's Bake Off co-stars address 'bitter battle of the egos' between the pair after show debut

After much anticipation, Nigella Lawson finally made her debut as the new Great British Bake Off judge as the series returned on Tuesday night.

Joining Paul Hollywood as 12 eager new bakers got to work in the kitchen, there has been much speculation about the pair's relationship amid a 'bitter battle of their egos'. 

And now Bake Off hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding have weighed in on the tension between the pair as they admitted: 'It's quite sparky when they don't agree.' 

Appearing on this week's episode of Dish podcast, Noel explained: 'Sometimes they don't agree- and it's quite exciting television. 

'They sort of have slightly different tastes, don't they? She likes very salty kind of- savoury things. And he likes more sweet. He's got more of a sweet tooth. 

'So, they always end up resolving it and coming together. But yeah, it's nice when they do. It's quite sparky when they don't agree.'

Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood's Bake Off co-stars have addressed the 'bitter battle of the egos' between the pair after the show's debut on Tuesday evening

Appearing on this week's episode of Dish podcast, Noel explained: 'Sometimes they don't agree- and it's quite exciting television...It's quite sparky when they don't agree'

Rumours have been swirling for months that the pair haven't gelled after the domestic goddess joined the lineup. 

A source told the Daily Mail's Katie Hind that Nigella reportedly found Paul's method of commuting to the tent via private helicopter as 'gauche and silly'.

Meanwhile at the Channel 4 launch earlier this month the judges notably didn't stand next to each other on the red carpet.  

However, Alison and Noel couldn't be happier to have Nigella on board this series. 

Asked how it is working with her, Alison said: 'Unbelievable. Yeah she is so beautiful. When she walked in, everyone just stops in their tracks- and looks, and you're like. How is she that beautiful? She's so lovely as well. Really nice.'

Noel joked: 'We have these little sort of shepherd's huts that we all sort of have, and they face each other, and you can just see Nigella in her shepherd's hut currently reading. 

'She's got a stack of books and she sort of lies like Cleopatra would lie on a chaise longue. 

'And sometimes as you're walking by she summons you in and you sort of kneel down at her feet- because she lies across the whole thing- so there's nowhere to sit. Like a child in assembly. She's amazing.'

Meanwhile, Nigella herself confessed she is 'no polished' baker herself as she shared her concerns ahead of the new series.

Rumours have been swirling for months that the pair haven't gelled after the domestic goddess joined the lineup and the pair notably didn't stand together on the red carpet at the launch 

Asked how it is working with her, Alison said: ' Unbelievable. Yeah she is so beautiful. When she walked in, everyone just stops in their tracks... you're like. How is she that beautiful?

The 66-year-old told the Radio Times: 'I was a bit worried because, well, you wouldn't mark me up for my polished finishes as a baker.

'Generally speaking, I don't think of myself as a judge. I came to baking later in life and because of that it's something that intrigues and fascinates me.

'I've learnt by doing and I'm a home baker, not a professional. It's quite interesting because the contestants are home bakers, too, so I have sympathy for that.'

For more than two decades, Nigella has worn the tiara of the British food culture scene, famed for her best-selling cookery books and television shows including Simply Nigella.

Bake Off is not Nigella's first foray into the world of televised cooking competitions but her previous judging positions centred around scrutinising professional chefs in MasterChef Australia rather than amateur bakers.

Nigella is acutely aware of the big boots she is expected to fill as she describes her new role: 'I felt it was a huge leap, but it's been lovely.'

Her fellow judge Paul has previously worked alongside Dame Mary Berry and Dame Prue Leith since the show first aired 16 years ago.

Paul said: 'The thing is Mary was different to Prue, Prue was different to Nigella and Nigella is different to Mary.

'They each bring their own character to it, and Nigella is a very warm person, especially to the bakers. More so than Mary was and I think more akin to Prue.

'There's a very nurturing nature to Nigella, which was quite strong this year. Whereas me, I suppose I'm the constant. So I remain in my position of being constructively critical.'