Paul Hollywood has described his new Bake Off co-judge Nigella Lawson as being "warmer" towards contestants than Mary Berry was.
The 66-year-old food writer has stepped in to replace Dame Prue Leith on the panel, following Leith's own takeover from Berry back in 2017.
Discussing his working relationship with Lawson during an interview with the Radio Times, Hollywood referred to her as a "very warm person, especially to the bakers".
He added: "There’s a very nurturing nature to Nigella, which was quite strong this year."
Reflecting on how Lawson compares to her predecessors, he observed: "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."
Lawson's appointment comes after Dame Prue revealed in January that she would be standing down following a nine-season stint on the program.
Leith originally took over from Berry in 2017, after Berry had served on the judging panel for six years.
Hollywood, 60, has remained a fixture on the series since its 2010 debut, spanning its initial broadcast on the BBC through to its current home on Channel 4.
The competition is presently fronted by hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
In a recent conversation with the Press Association, Lawson outlined her personal strategy for assessing the contestants' bakes.
"I always try to look for the positive as well, because you never want criticism to make people feel inadequate, or to be something that pampers them rather than encourages them," she said.
"I think it’s very important to let someone know what they’re doing well and what needs to be a bit better. But ultimately, I just thought, ‘Oh, I’m getting really bad at telling people something isn’t right’.
"But ultimately, you can’t do anything except be honest, because all you have to go on is your honest reaction.
"Does it help someone to say something worked if it didn’t? They’re there to get better. What was fascinating to me was seeing, over the course of the whole series, how people learn.
"As we know in life generally, making mistakes is not what matters; it’s actually learning from them."
Lawson became a prominent media figure during the late 1990s on the back of her acclaimed television series and bestselling culinary books.
Prior to establishing her career as a food author, the Oxford graduate worked as a journalist.
Her debut title, How To Eat, enjoyed significant commercial success, while her subsequent book, How To Be A Domestic Goddess – credited as the work that "kick-started the cupcake revolution" – secured her author of the year at the British Book Awards in 2001.
She went on to present Nigella Bites for Channel 4 before making appearances across ITV and the BBC.
Her international credentials include spots on MasterChef Australia and MasterChef US, alongside two seasons serving as a judge on the Australian competition My Kitchen Rules.
The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
Nigella Lawson offers glimpse of new look Bake Off in first trailer
Nigella Lawson addresses Paul Hollywood rumours before Bake Off launch
Nigella Lawson shares nickname for Paul Hollywood after Bake Off feud rumours
Channel 4 tested how 14 people would survive an apocalypse. It did not go well
New Strictly spin-off announced – with two more hosts joining the team
John Oliver jabs at Paramount’s David Ellison amid potential merger
