Alison Hammond has revealed she's already embraced her new Bake Off co-star Nigella Lawson, with the pair even enjoying a day out together.

The TV chef, 66, is set to join Paul Hollywood as a judge on the new series later this year after Prue Leith announced she was stepping down from the show.

Speaking ahead of filming this month, Alison has shared that she already loves Nigella's 'naughty' side, with the star no stranger to cheeky innuendos during her cooking series.

She added that Nigella has also already hit it off with co-judge Paul, and their partnership in the famous tent will go down a storm with viewers. 

Nigella herself had previously admitted being daunted by the big shoes she had to fill, following two 'great dames' in Prue and original judge Dame Mary Berry. 

Alison said: 'I went to meet her the other day. Oh my gosh, she's lovely. She's so nice. I loved her. She's everything and more than I thought she was going to be.'

She went on to tell The Mirror: 'She's a natural beauty. She's kind. She loves her family, but really quite naughty as well. I feel like she's a bit naughty. 

'It's funny because she said she really got on with Paul. It was really lovely.' 

Alison is set to star on the upcoming Channel 4 series Your Song, and recently confirmed that among her busy schedule she was approached to be the new host of Strictly Come Dancing.

However, the This Morning star admitted she turned down the offer as she's 'too busy,' and told Radio Times she's 'very happy' with her current jobs.

It was announced that Nigella would be joining Bake Off as Prue's replacement, with the star sharing her apprehension at landing the coveted role. 

She said in a statement: 'I'm uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now. Of course it's daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I'm also bubbling with excitement.

'The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it's a National Treasure – and it's a huge honour to be entrusted with it.'

Before adding: 'I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!'

'I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!'

Nigella has also received Dame Prue's approval, who said: 'I'm thrilled that Nigella is to experience brilliant Bake Off.

'She's sassy, fun and she knows her onions — and her croissants, cake and crumble.'

Prue later revealed she decided to leave the Great British Bake Off out of 'a desire to work less and play more'.

Speaking to The Spectator, she said: 'I have been dithering for years about when to stop judging The Great British Bake Off.

'When I joined nine years ago, I thought, since I was in my mid-seventies, that I'd be lucky to manage two years.

'At that age, my mother was deaf as a post and away with the fairies, believing her son was her father and that her cat was the one she'd had 40 years before.

'But my marbles stayed more or less in place and there seemed no good reason to give up a job I loved.

'Finally, though, the desire to work less and play more got to me. Bake Off and its offshoots such as The Great American Baking Show and even the Christmas specials are all filmed in the summer, which has meant I could never have a summer holiday.'