Pierra Willix

Nigella Lawson says she is “a bit nervous” but very excited and honoured to join The Great British Bake Off as a judge. She replaces Prue Leith, who is stepping down after joining the Channel 4 programme in 2017. Filming for the upcoming season has finished, with Lawson joining Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, and the series is due to air the following month. The article also reviews Lawson’s career as a food writer, cookbook author and television presenter.

Award-winning filmmaker Justin Hardy died aged 61 after suffering a heart attack, according to his family. Hardy, the son of The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy, directed numerous television and film productions, won four Royal Television Society awards, a Broadcast Award and a BAFTA, and taught screenwriting at University College London. His final project, Wrath Of The Gods, completed shortly before his death, was inspired by a recently discovered script by his father and concludes the family’s connection to The Wicker Man trilogy. Hardy is survived by his wife Larissa and children Sam, Ludo, Nico and Summer.

Denise Welch celebrated the wedding of her son Matty Healy to model Gabbriette Bechtel in Los Angeles, calling the weekend the most magical of her life. The couple married in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends after announcing their engagement in 2024. Welch expressed her excitement and affection for her new daughter-in-law while sharing glimpses of the festivities. The article also notes the pair’s engagement details, pre-wedding celebrations, and connections to friends including Charli XCX and George Daniel.