Nigella makes her major UK TV return after six years on Bake Off alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood and show hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding

It has been six years since her last major UK television programme.

But self-described domestic goddess Nigella Lawson is back, and looking fabulous as she attended the official launch of The Great British Bake Off on Monday evening.

The celebrity chef, 66, posed on the green grass with fellow judge Paul Hollywood and show hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding at The HAC in Armoury House in central London.

Typically, Paul, 60, who has starred on the show since its first episode in 2010, has enjoyed being the centre of attention, but this year all eyes are on Nigella.

And she made sure to make a statement, stepping out in a sleek all-black ensemble which showcased her age-defying appearance.

The wide-legged number featured short sleeves, a zip front and a coordinating belt which cinched her in at the waist. 

She completed the polished look with smoky eye make-up and wore her brunette hair in voluminous waves alongside Paul, Alison and Noel.

The foursome appeared in high spirits as they reunited ahead of Nigella’s eagerly awaited debut in the famous white tent later this month.

Alison, 51, brought a splash of colour to proceedings in a vibrant pink and black leopard-print dress, which she paired with coordinating pink shoes and gold jewellery.

Paul, 60, opted for a more casual look in an open-necked pale blue shirt and jeans.

Meanwhile, Noel, 53, stayed true to his typically flamboyant style in a black cowboy hat and leather jacket, worn over a T-shirt emblazoned with a large red heart.

The group posed together on a strip of artificial grass before gathering behind an elaborate model of the programme’s famous white tent.

Nigella and Alison were also pictured side by side inside a recreation of the Bake Off kitchen, surrounded by colourful crockery, bunting and baking equipment.

The mother-of-two, famously known for her cooking innuendos, was announced as Prue Leith’s successor in January of this year, following her decision to step down after nine years.

Channel 4 has confirmed the show’s 17th series will begin on Tuesday, September 22 at 8pm.

Bake Off insiders say bosses are hoping it will be the biggest year yet, following their lucrative deal to get Nigella in the famous white tent.

This year’s lineup has also been revealed, which includes a 32-year-old self-described ‘drag king’ who lives in the West Midlands with their two partners, and a 67-year-old retired garment technologist.

Sources previously told the Daily Mail how Nigella and Paul ‘weren’t getting on too well’ during filming, which took place throughout the summer.

A well-placed insider said how the best-selling author found his helicopter rides to the show’s set in Welford Park in Berkshire a bit 'gauche'.

Since then, the pair have made sure to look like the best of friends, regularly ‘liking’ and commenting on each other’s Instagram posts.

Nigella's last television programme for the BBC was in 2020, with her Cook, Eat, Repeat series.

She has remained a regular face on Australian television, though, starring on cookery show My Kitchen Rules.

Nigella has published 12 cookery books throughout her career and hosted almost a dozen television programmes, including her own chat show for ITV in 2005, albeit short-lived.

In 1998, she published her very first cookery book, How To Eat, which sold 300,000 copies and made her a best-selling author.

Just two years later, the Londoner released How to Be A Domestic Goddess which won the British Book Award for Author of the Year.

Her career was originally in journalism, having joined The Sunday Times as its deputy literary editor after graduating from Oxford.