Nigella Lawson has made us change the way we think about food with her new series Cook, Eat, Repeat, from using shower caps in the kitchen to changing the way we butter out toast.
Now, she’s also revealed that we’ve been pronouncing simple words like ‘microwave’ wrong this entire time.
In last night’s episode of the hit cookery show on BBC Two, national treasure Nigella revealed her unique way of saying the word, and viewers cannot get enough.
Just when you thought she couldn’t get anymore iconic, she goes and does something like this.
‘How do I set Nigella Lawson’s pronunciation of microwave as my ringtone?’ one fan wrote on Twitter.
‘The way Nigella pronounces microwave is my new favourite thing! Mîcro-wavé,’ another said.
In the same episode, Nigella left Cook, Eat, Repeat viewers stunned after saying ‘butter facial’ while making mash potato.
The celebrity cook showed viewers how to make brown butter colcannon, mashing the potatoes and adding kale, while chopping spring onion separately.
Nigella’s pronunciation has been hailed as ‘iconic’ (Picture: Luke Baker)
Next came melting the butter as she explained: ‘I think of it as caramelised butter with all of the gorgeousness that implies… Is there anything better than a butter facial?’
The BBC Two show also saw her cooking up black pudding meat balls and pasta with cavolo nero and ’nduja.
Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat airs Mondays at 8pm on BBC Two.
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Nigella Lawson has cleared up confusion surrounding her pronunciation of microwave during the latest episode of Cook, Eat, Repeat.
On Monday night, the TV chef went viral when she poured some milk into a pan after warming it up in the ‘meeecro-wa-vay’.
Naturally, everyone watching on at home was both amazed and bewildered in equal measure, but most pledged to follow Nigella’s lead when referring to said kitchen appliance from now on.
However, as the world has become increasingly hysterical, the 60-year-old has clarified her casual remark.
When one fan tweeted: ‘Am I the only one who thought @Nigella_Lawson was being sarcastic when she pronounced Meecro-wavé?!
‘Now, I’m starting to think she really pronounces it like that?’
Nigella causes global hysteria with pronunciation of microwave (Picture: BBC)
Nigella clarified her interpretation of the English language
Nigella replied: ‘Well, I do say it like that, but not because I think that’s how it’s actually pronounced.’
Regardless, for many we’ll never look at a microwave the same every again.
As well as turning the English Dictionary on its head, Nigella’s Eat, Cook, Repeat has served up some unconventional but delicious dishes which have proved to be a huge hit as cooking took up many people’s second lockdown.
Want our tip? Rustle up Nigella’s fish finger bhorta recipe at the next available opportunity and be sure to make an extra helping for a late night snack.
Nigella Lawson’s Eat, Cook, Repeat airs Mondays at 8pm on BBC Two.
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Nigella Lawson has continued to lap up her iconic microwave moment by reposting some of the hilarious memes.
The TV chef entertained viewers on Monday night when she revealed the questionable way she pronounces microwave or, as she says, ‘meeecro-wa-vay’ on Cook, Eat, Repeat.
Fans have refused to let the banter die and one shared a meme of an IKEA advert for a microwave, instead jokingly called ‘Meekro Wahve’ in a faux Swedish translation.
‘The @Nigella_Lawson And @IKEAUK collab drops tonight,’ one fan quipped.
Nigella replied: ‘That made me laugh!’ before retweeting the meme and admitting: ‘I know I said enough now, but couldn’t resist.’
Appreciating Nigella’s sense of humour, one fan said: ‘I love this wholesome torturing of the extraordinary @Nigella_Lawson . Nigella you are a delight and a terrific sport always.’
Taking to another level, one follower wondered: ‘Would you sell this as a print bc I want it for my kitchen.’
One fan is clearly on Nigella’s wavelength as they shared: ‘Nigella, we love you in this household; you do / say what you like! We call the fridge: ‘FRIGO’ in this house. My mother always called it the frigo,’ to which the chef admitted: ‘So do I!!!’
Nigella Lawson can’t get enough of the microwave memes (Picture: BBC)
It comes after the 60-year-old clarified how she actually pronounces microwave.
When one fan tweeted: ‘Am I the only one who thought @Nigella_Lawson was being sarcastic when she pronounced Meecro-wavé?!
‘Now, I’m starting to think she really pronounces it like that?’
Nigella replied: ‘Well, I do say it like that, but not because I think that’s how it’s actually pronounced.’
Regardless, thanks to Nigella we no longer recognise ‘microwave’ in the traditional sense.
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Gogglebox viewers were left sorely disappointed when one of the most talked-about TV moments of the week was only briefly featured on the latest episode of the reality series.
On Monday evening, the latest instalment of Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat, Repeat was aired on BBC Two.
During the 30-minute programme, Nigella, 60, was filmed saying the word ‘microwave’ in a notably unique way, calling it a ‘meeecro-wa-vay’.
Those watching the show were both amused and perplexed by the food writer’s pronunciation of the kitchen appliance, with the moment quickly becoming nothing short of iconic.
But all those who may have expected the scene to be discussed at length during Gogglebox were unfortunately mistaken.
While a segment of the new episode of Cook, Eat, Repeat was shown, the moment Nigella revealed her distinctive way of saying microwave was only briefly included during the introduction.
Abbie and Georgia were the only Gogglebox stars shown reacting to the Nigella microwave moment (Picture: Channel 4)
What’s more, Gogglebox stars Abbie and Georgia were the only ones shown reacting to it.
Several Gogglebox viewers took to Twitter to share their frustration.
‘Watching Gogglebox on +1 and cannot believe they didn’t show Nigella saying microwave! Been waiting for this all week!!’ one person said.
‘Was looking forward all week to @C4Gogglebox reactions to @Nigella_Lawson saying “meecrowavey” for it to be only shown in the introduction!! Disappointed!!’ another remarked.
Watching gogglebox on +1 and cannot believe they didn’t show nigella saying microwave! Been waiting for this all week!! #Gogglebox#NigellaLawson
While the clip of Nigella saying microwave was featured in the introduction, the scene that was focused on during last night’s episode of Gogglebox showed the TV cook whipping up some pasta in the kitchen with Nduja sauce.
When talking to her audience about how to remember the correct way to say ‘Nduja’, which is a spicy pork from Italy, Nigella said: ‘You can remember its correct pronunciation if you think of saying, “N-do ya want to eat now.”’
Following the hysteria Nigella’s pronunciation of microwave caused on Monday night, she later clarified whether that’s actually how she refers to it.
‘Well, I do say it like that, but not because I think that’s how it’s actually pronounced,’ she tweeted.
Still, that’s how we’re all going to be referring to it from now on!
Gogglebox next airs on Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.
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Nigella is getting fans hungry once again (Picture: BBC)
Nigella Lawson has left fans desperately hungry after showing off her incredible crab mac ‘n cheese recipe.
The pasta dish was first up for our meecro-wavay queen’s latest episode of Cook, Eat, Repeat, and it looks absolutely incredible.
Showing off how to make the dish, Nigella – famed for her saucy kitchen innuendos – scoffed the delicious meal and suddenly everyone was hampering for some themselves.
Adding the pasta to the ‘thick, rich, velvety smooth sauce’, Nigella mixed it together before telling us: ‘My bowl is ready, and so am I.’
‘If I am making normal mac and cheese, I’d be putting this in a hot oven to blister it now, but this is too special too delicate for such coarse treatment,’ she added, before sprinkling on aleppo pepper.
‘I am ready to dive in. This is the most luscious of treats.’
Tell us you’re not hungry after seeing this… (Picture: BBC)
‘Nigella you temptress! After 6 months on a diet I hit my goal weight today and now I desperately want to blow it all on this crab Mac and Cheese…,’ one fan wrote.
Another agreed and said: ‘Seriously, all I want for Christmas is a bowl of the [Nigella Lawson] crab Mac and Cheese…’
‘Love you but really it’s quite cruel to make so many good things all in one show because honestly how am I supposed to make crab mac n cheese, cookies and rice pudding cake all in one evening?’ another asked. ‘It’s the only way to satisfy my hunger but ultimately unfeasible.’
Want to know how to make it? We’ve got you covered.
Crab Mac 'n Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
100 grams gruyere cheese
15g or 2 x 15ml tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
15g or 1½ x 15ml tablespoons plain flour
¼ teaspoon ground mace
¼ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
⅛ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or hot smoked paprika, plus more to sprinkle at the end
250 millilitres full fat milk
1 x 15ml tablespoon tomato puree
30g or 2 x 15ml tablespoons unsalted butter
1 fat clove of garlic
½ teaspoon worcestershire sauce
200 grams conchiglie rigate pasta
100 grams mixed white and brown crab meat (50/50)
Method:
Grate the Gruyère into a bowl and add the 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan. Mix the flour with the spices in a small cup. Pour the milk into a measuring jug and stir in the tablespoon of tomato purée. Put a pan of water on to boil for the pasta.
Find a smallish heavy-based saucepan; I use one of 18cm / 7 inches diameter. Over lowish heat, melt the butter, then peel and mince or grate in the garlic and stir it around in the pan quickly. Turn the heat up to medium and add the flour and spices. Whisk over the heat until it all coheres into an orange, fragrant, loose paste; this will take no longer than a minute. It soon looks like tangerine-tinted foaming honeycomb. Take off the heat and very gradually whisk in the tomatoey milk, until it’s completely smooth. Use a spatula to scrape down any sauce that’s stuck to the sides of the pan.
Put back on the heat, turn up to medium and cook, stirring, until it has thickened and lost any taste of flouriness; this will take anything from 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
Take the pan off the heat and stir in the grated cheeses. It’ll look rather fabulously like Velveeta now. Put a lid on the saucepan, or cover tightly with foil, and leave on the hob, but with the heat off, while you get on with the pasta. If you have an electric or ceramic hob it may be better to take the pan off completely.
So, add salt to the boiling water in the pasta pan, then add the pasta and cook according to the packet instructions, though start checking it a couple of minutes earlier.
When the pasta is just about al dente, add the crabmeat to the smoky cheese sauce, then once you’re happy that the pasta shells are ready, use a spider to lift them into the sauce or drain them, reserving some pasta-cooking liquid first, and drop the shells in. Stir over lowish heat until the crabmeat is hot. If you want to make the sauce any more fluid, as indeed you might, add as much of the pasta-cooking water as you need. Taste to see if you want to add salt – the crab meat you get in tubs tends to be quite salty already, but if you’ve got yours from your fishmonger, it might need it.
Divide between two small shallow bowls and sprinkle with Aleppo pepper or hot smoked paprika.
Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat, Repeat is available on BBC iPlayer.
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Made In Chelsea fans were left absolutely bawling their eyes out as the season finale saw Ollie Locke and Gareth Locke get married.
The couple tied the knot in a small ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London in front of family and friends, complete with a speech from best mate Binky and writing their own vows.
After previously losing their dream venue, which refused to perform a gay marriage, viewers shed a whole load of tears as the couple finally became husbands.
‘Twelve years in the making, and although it wasn’t love at first sight, I have grown and witnessed a man I was destined to be in love with,’ Gareth said in his vows.
‘I couldn’t be happier to call you my family, and to have you as my partner through for the rest of my life.’
‘You make me eternally happy, that every time I wake up in the morning and know you’re lying next to me,’ Ollie said.
The couple were married at the Natural History Museum (Picture: E4)
‘I remember when I wrote my first book, at the very end it said, if you’re out there love, hurry up” – and you were already there. I just didn’t know it for a couple more years.
‘All the most important parts of my life you were always somewhere in the background, and I couldn’t be happier to be standing here right now, about to go on this big adventure.’
In a final send off, the team behind the show posted a photo and wrote to the pair: ‘Congratulations Ollie and Gareth.
‘This year has been challenging… but love wins.’
The team ended the show on a beautiful message (Picture: E4)
Viewers couldn’t be happier for Ollie and Gareth and shared their delight in their wedding – and the tears they shed as they watched.
How amazing was that wedding 𥰠HUGE congratulations @ollielocke and @garethplocke. Hope you enjoy a lifetime of happiness together â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸#MadeInChelsea
That was such a special, emotional episode; from Ollie and Janeâs FaceTime, to Binkyâs speech and, the cherry on top of the (wedding) cake, to Ollie and Garethâs stunning ceremony/exchange of vows !!! ð¥ºð #MIC#MadeInChelsea
Sobbed repeatedly at Ollie and Garethâs wedding.. love is love and you should always be allowed to marry your true love. Gender/sexuality shouldnât prevent that â¥ï¸ #madeinchelsea#MIC
Well I am sobbing my heart out at Ollie and Garethâs gorgeous wedding, and would like to know where the men that love this fiercely and wholly are in real life, please #MadeInChelseapic.twitter.com/ItaxUflGR6
Made In Chelsea is available now for catch-up on E4.
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In the wake of ‘mee-cro-wah-vay’ gate, Nigella Lawson has titilated fans once again, with her declaration in regards to carrot rounds.
The cook apparently has it in for what can only be described as improperly-cut vegetables, if a recent episode of her show Cook, Eat, Repeat is to go by.
Sharing her delectable recipe for chicken with orzo – which is a ‘one-pot dish designed to bring comfort and joy’ and ‘one of the mainstays of her life’, according to Nigella – she imparted her wisdom once again on veggies, as she added leeks and carrots to the mix.
While many of us probably think a nice carrot round is perfectly non-confrontational and fine for a dinner, Nigella has it in for anything orange not cut into a baton and wanted to make sure we knew.
As she delicately placed the root vegetable in the dish, she said: ‘I have been quite open about my prejudices over the years, but let me just say again, that I find carrots cut into rounds infinitely depressing, so it’s always batons for me.’
Sorry, what, Nigella? ‘Infinitely depressing?’
Nigella really has is in for carrot rounds (Picture: BBC/Jay Brookes)
Constant rain is infinitely depressing.
Perpetual lockdown is, too.
But carrots cut into rounds? That may be pushing it a little, don’t you think.
Whether we question her prejudice against a round carrot, fans were more than agreeing with her and picked up their pitchforks to march on social media against the apparently offensive dinner accroutrement.
In fact, the humble carrot round got so much hate it went viral on Twitter following the episode.
One very passionate follower was round carrots ‘all the way’, as they wrote on Twitter: ‘Do you know what? Carrot rounds ARE depressing and it’s taken @Nigella_Lawson to point out the bleeding obvious for me to realise.
‘They’re so 70s and conjure up memories of when I found carrots abhorrent. From now it’s batons all the way! Thanks Nigella.’
We have to be honest, we’ve not thought that much about carrots and how we cut them until now…
But that wasn’t all. Oh no, another punter joined in on the heaping critique on the poor, innocent, carrot round.
They chimed in: ‘I’m totally in agreement with @Nigella_Lawson – circular carrots are the work of beelzebub himself – batons all the way for me.’
Another suggested carrot rounds TASTE awful, like cutting into batons has some sort of effect on our tastebuds.
Nigella had a lot of support against carrot rounds:
Nigella Lawson is offended by carrots if theyâre cut into circles and not batons and now so am I.
âI find carrots cut into rounds infinitely depressing, so itâs always batons for meâ. YES @Nigella_Lawson ð¥ð¥ Finally someone who agrees with me!!ð
Out for dinner a few years ago and the waitress asks us if everything was ok. My friend points to me and says “He didn’t like how the carrots were cut” So delighted tonight to hear @Nigella_Lawson agrees. Good company to be in
Nigella is on an absolute roll of viral delights recently, following her pronunciation of microwave.
After fans and followers were whipped up into a proverbial frenzy by her description of the small household appliance, Nigella weighed in on the chaos she caused.
One fan tweeted: ‘Am I the only one who thought @Nigella_Lawson was being sarcastic when she pronounced Meecro-wavé?!
‘Now, I’m starting to think she really pronounces it like that?’
Nigella replied: ‘Well, I do say it like that, but not because I think that’s how it’s actually pronounced.’
Nigella won’t be cooking a turkey for Christmas (Picture: BBC/Jay Brookes)
Nigella Lawson may be the queen of the kitchen, but even she is shunning Christmas dinner tradition this year.
The Cook, Eat, Repeat presenter is not cooking a turkey this week ‘for the first time ever’ as she isn’t having a family Christmas.
The 60-year-old has decided to make pork instead as she feels making the full turkey with all the trimmings would make her ‘feel what’s missing’.
Speaking to BBC’s Newsbeat podcast, the domestic goddess said: ‘I actually – and I only made the decision a couple of days ago – for the first time ever, I am not going to do a turkey – and I always do. I’m doing pork.
‘It’s not going to be a normal family Christmas, therefore I think I will feel less sad doing something that is just a lovely lunch, that takes in a few Christmas traditions from elsewhere that interest me, but (does) not… make me feel what’s missing.’
Nigella is mum to Cosima, 26, and Paul, 24, with her late husband John Diamond, but coronavirus restrictions across the UK mean that the star won’t be having the big family gathering she usually has.
The cook will be making pork instead (Picture: Brookes)
She lives in a townhouse in central London, which has been hit with tier four restrictions, meaning Nigella is unable to mix with other households indoors or travel outside of London.
While she is ditching the turkey this year, Nigella suggested that others hold onto their annual traditions.
The chef said: ‘I would have thought, for many people, the strange conditions under which we live will make them want to cleave to the traditions, and not add new and different things.’
Last night, Nigella wrapped up her latest series Cook, Eat, Repeat – the accompaniment to her latest cookbook of the same name – with a Christmas special, and instead of whipping up turkey, ham and Brussel sprouts, she took inspiration from European traditions.
The show saw Nigella make a delicious centrepiece of Norwegian pork ribs, the Swedish potato dish Jansson’s temptation, and smoked salmon on black bread.
For those with a sweet tooth – at Christmas, that’s basically everyone – Nigella also whipped up Linzer cookies, pomegranate cocktails, vegan gingerbread and sugared doughnuts called appelflappen.
Nigella has the perfect Brussel sprouts recipe (Picture: BBC/Jay Brookes)
Nigella Lawson has shared her secret to making Brussels sprouts taste even better just in time for Christmas.
The TV chef, who controversially admitted that she won’t be cooking turkey for Christmas, has now shared her sprout recipe, that will even make the haters love them.
The 60-year-old spruces up her festive dish by adding chestnuts, pancetta and parsley.
‘There is a lot of parsley, I know, but think of it as another vegetable ingredient rather than a garnish,’ she told the Daily Star.
‘Obviously, if you can’t get your hands on pancetta, it’s fine to use bacon.
‘Just scissor it up, and fry it in a little more oil than you need for the pancetta, before proceeding.’
Nigella won’t be having turkey on Christmas Day (Picture: Brookes)
This recipe feeds 8 to 10 people, which is also perfect for storing in the fridge for Boxing Day.
Ingredients:
1kg Brussels sprouts
250g pancetta (rind removed, cut into 1cm cubes)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
30g butter
250g vacuum-packed chestnuts
60ml Marsala
1 large bunch of chopped fresh parsley
Method:
Start by trimming the bottoms of the sprouts and making a small cross-shaped cut into each as you go along
Pop them into a pan of salted boiling water and cook until tender (around five minutes) – make sure to taste one to make sure they’re cooked through
In a pan, cook the pancetta cubes in oil until they are brown and crispy
Then, add butter and chestnuts and press on them with a wooden spoon
When they’re warm, turn up the heat and add the Marsala, letting it bubble away
Add the drained sprouts and turn well, sprinkling in half the parsley as you go
Nigella says at this stage you shouldn’t need any more salt as the pancetta comes with a lot of it, but add a sprinkling of pepper
Finally, add the Brussels to a serving place and add the remaining parsley
If that wasn’t enough, throughout lockdown Nigella has been sharing all her favourite cooking hacks on her TV show, Cook, Eat, Repeat.
Rather than using a moist tea towel or a cling film, Nigella covered her bowl with the snazzy elasticated cap and it helped the dough to rise like a dream.
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When 2020 opened with former cabinet minister disguised as an Egyptian Pharoah belting out The Bangles, it seemed unlikely television in 2020 would get more WTF than that.
Oh.
In the year that dragged on longer than The Walking Dead, when life was more surreal than anyone would have expected, television was suitably bizarre too.
From desperate politicians proving they had even less talent than anyone thought humanly possible on The Masked Singer or Strictly Come Dancing to the inevitable live TV nightmares only made more catastrophic by a global pandemic, the past 12 months has gone from one jaw-dropping moment to the next.
Some have been side-splittingly hysterical and will be rightfully etched in our memories for years to come; others can gladly be left behind in the year we’d all rather forget.
Here, Metro.co.uk looks back at some of the weird and wonderful moments television gifted us in 2020.
Australian news somehow accidentally used the ‘huge penis’ meme in a report
Teddy Sherringham on The Masked Singer set the tone for 2020
Carol Kirkwood found a loophole to the sex indoors ban
Everything about Christine Quinn’s wedding in Selling Sunset
What a ride (Picture: Netflix)
The world momentarily stopped turning when Sura swatted a fly on Bake Off
Letâs not forget the most iconic moment of this years #GBBOÂ ; Sura, knocking Davidâs cakes on the floor. Collectively the nation gasped! pic.twitter.com/QkvtgNdzOv
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Singer David and Corrie star Sally Dyvenor have been given MBEs, Nina Wadia, Jed Mercurio and Toby Jones have been given OBEs, while Lesley Manville is getting an OBE.
However, while the stars have expressed their pride at being named in the 2021 honours, other celebs have previously turned down the honours.
Whether because they believed they didn’t deserve them or because they disagreed with the monarchy, many stars from all corners of the world of showbiz have rejected honours from the Queen, or even handed them back – and here’s just some of them.
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen handed his honour back (Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Welsh actor Michael Sheen was awarded an OBE in 2009, but later gave it back, after he believes Wales should be independent and does not think Prince William should be the next Prince of Wales.
Speaking to Owen Jones, he explained: ‘In my research to do that lecture [about Wales’ relationship with Britain] I learnt a lot about Welsh history. I’m still standing at the foothills of an understanding of all that, but that was a crash course.
‘By the time I’d finished writing that lecture, I remember sitting there going, “Well, I have a choice. I either don’t give this lecture and hold on to my OBE or I give this lecture and I have to give my OBE back”. I wanted to still give the lecture so I gave my OBE back.’
He added that he hadn’t meant to be rude or disrespectful, and was ‘incredibly honoured’ to have received his OBE at the time.
Nigella Lawson
Nigella rejected an OBE (Picture: BBC/Jay Brookes)
Nigella is basically queen of our hearts thanks to her cookery shows, but she turned down the offer of an OBE in 2001.
She explained: ‘I’m not saving lives and I’m not doing anything other than something I absolutely love.’
David Bowie
It could have been Sir David Bowie (Picture: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
David Bowie turned down two honours – a CBE in 2000 and a knighthood three years later.
He told The Sun: ‘I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for.
‘It’s not what I spent my life working for. It’s not my place to make a judgement on [Mick] Jagger, it’s his decision. But it’s just not for me.’
However, he didn’t address whether he was anti-monarchy, as he was living in the US.
George The Poet
George called the empire ‘pure evil’ (Picture: David M. Benett/Getty Images for adidas Originals)
George The Poet last year rejected an MBE because of the ‘pure evil’ of the British Empire.
Speaking on his BBC podcast, he explained: ‘I turned down an MBE. A friend asked me if I would accept it, I just saw my parents’ faces and without thinking I said “yes” and then I took a minute and reflected, reflected on my status and I felt a burning sensation in my chest.
‘Your forefathers grabbed my motherland, pinned her down and took turns. They did that every day for a couple hundred years and then left her to treat her own burns. Now all of her children are born with a set of unique concerns and gaps in the information that we really do need to learn and none of us know why, why we got absorbed by a “higher entity”, why I have to fight for my identity.
‘George – people know me as this – the name of some old colonialist and you are so conceited it doesn’t even occur to you how lonely this is. What they did was pure evil and you can’t see it because that was your people.’
Danny Boyle
Danny preferred to remain an everyman (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Danny turned down a knighthood following his incredible opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The director told Radio 4: ‘I’m very proud to be an equal citizen, and I think that’s what the opening ceremony was actually about.’
French and Saunders
Jennifer said it felt fake to accept the honour (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders refused OBEs in 2001 for their services to comedy and drama.
Jennifer later explained: ‘If I felt I deserved a damehood I’d accept it.
‘At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun. It didn’t seem right somehow.
‘We didn’t deserve a pat on the back. It felt a bit fake to stand alongside people who devoted their lives to truly worthy causes.’
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin said he was anti-empire (Picture: Richard Ecclestone/Redferns)
The acclaimed poet made no bones about why he turned down an OBE in 2003.
He said: ‘Benjamin Zephaniah OBE – no way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.’
Skepta
Skepta suggested he rejected an honour (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Skepta claimed he rejected an honour in the lyrics of his song Hypocrisy, which was released in 2017.
The grime star rapped: ‘Just came back from the Ivors/And look at what we collected. The MBE got rejected/I’m not trying to be accepted.’
Paul Weller
Paul refused an honour but said he was flattered (Picture: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns)
In 2007, the legendary mod was offered a CBE, but turned it down.
A spokesperson said: ‘Paul was surprised and flattered, but it wasn’t really for him.’
George Harrison
Goerge Harrison was apparently offended that his bandmate was offered a knighthood years earlier (Picture: Michael Putland/Getty Images)
While Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney accepted knighthoods, fellow Beatle George Harrison rejected an OBE the year before his death in 2001.
Journalist Ray Connolly, who knew The Beatles, told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Whoever it was who decided to offer him the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive. George would have felt insulted – and with very good reason.’
Paul McCartney had been given a knighthood in 1997.
However, the Beatles accepted MBEs in 1965, although John Lennon returned his four years later as ‘a protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts’.
Ken Loach
Ken is not a fan of the honours system (Picture: Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage)
The director rejected an OBE in 1977, as it was ‘not a club’ he wanted to be a member of.
He said: ‘It’s all the things I think are despicable: patronage, deferring to the monarchy and the name of the British Empire, which is a monument of exploitation and conquest.
‘I turned down the OBE because it’s not a club you want to join when you look at the villains who’ve got it.’
As if we didn’t need more reasons to love Nigella Lawson, she goes and expertly throws shade at the outgoing President of the United States via a tart recipe.
Donald Trump has had his last full day as president, with Joe Biden set to be sworn in today as the 46th President of the United States.
People are marking the occasion with cutting criticisms, celebrations and, in the case of Nigella, plentiful helpings of shade.
The 61-year-old was deliciously sassy as she chose a rather apt dessert as her usual recipe of the day.
Nigella tweeted: ‘Well, yes, Bitter Orange Tart just happens to be #RecipeOfTheDay.
‘Apart from anything else, there are more things to make with Seville oranges than marmalade! This is not complicated: the base is bashed ginger nuts.’
Well, yes, Bitter Orange Tart just happens to be #RecipeOfTheDay. Apart from anything else, there are more things to make with Seville oranges than marmalade! This is not complicated: the base is bashed ginger nuts https://t.co/ZXSbk7uMX8pic.twitter.com/fbOM96sHKQ
Considering she tweeted this on the day that Trump – known for his love of fake tan, and who is not attending Biden’s inauguration after accusing him of stealing the election – we call shade.
People were loving the tweet, with Caitlin Moran writing: ‘If anyone says “Given the last few years, are there any things that still make you proud to be British?” I have to reply, “It’s a dwindling list, but Nigella Lawson calmly choosing Bitter Orange Tart on the day Trump leaves office would be one of them.”’
Nick Grimshaw quoted the post and wrote: ‘Nigella love levels rising’, while journalist Jim Pickard called the tweet ‘intergalactic sass’.
Nigella didn’t comment on her trolling, but did like a number of tweets pointing out said trolling, including the aforementioned tweets, before giving more recipe advise.
She wrote: ‘I should also let you know that if you don’t have Seville oranges, the recipe also gives the option of using the juice of regular eating oranges and limes. Plus, the curd filling is fabulous just on bread or to sandwich a cake.’
The cook and writer previously expressed her joy that Trump had been denied a second term in the White House, tweeting after Biden’s win was called: ‘Feeling rather tearily grateful. Thank you America.’
Chrissy Teigen was among them, as she wrote on Instagram: ‘Today our great national f***up is over, but the shame will last forever. with 2 impeachments, the creation of 3 million LESS jobs, 403,000 dead, a record low approval rating and god knows how many crimes, we can officially say Donald J Trump is the greatest at being the f***ing worst.
‘Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have the guy with barely enough well done steak with ketchup fueled brainpower to power a lightbulb who doesn’t even know how to close an umbrella run the country. History will not be kind to you, you absolute psychopath. But I never was anyhow.’
Trump will leave the White House for the last time today, before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in this afternoon at the Capitol.
The series, which stars Years and Years singer Olly Alexander, is set in the midst of the Aids crisis, when there were whispers of people in the gay community becoming ill but the true nature of HIV and Aids was not yet fully understood.
The programme is centred around a character called Ritchie (Olly) and his friends who moved to London, where it’s bursting with sex, dancing and infatuation.
While Russell T. Davies’ drama is packed with fun, humour and joy – watching the LGBT community being taken out by the deadly virus is harrowing.
Like many viewers, Nigella said she was ‘lost for words’ and branded the new programme a ‘masterpiece’.
Taking to Twitter the celebrity chef penned: ‘Poleaxed by #ItsASin.
Olly Alexander stars in the Channel 4 series (Picture: Channel 4)
Nigella branded the series a ‘masterpiece’ (Picture: Channel 4)
‘It’s a masterpiece. I’m lost for words. So many friends remembered. Thank you @russelldavies63.’
‘I need to watch it again straight away. So beautiful and true. (I’ll stop now. When I said I was lost for words, I wasn’t kidding!),’ she added.
Nigella’s followers were quick to agree with the chef about how emotional the series is, with many sharing their own experiences of that era.
‘I’ve been so reluctant. We lost so many friends then,’ one replied.
Poleaxed by #ItsASin. Itâs a masterpiece. Iâm lost for words. So many friends remembered. Thank you @russelldavies63. I need to watch it again straightaway. So beautiful and true. (Iâll stop now. When I said I was lost for words, I wasnât kidding!)
Another commented: ‘It’s a lesson for the future. How we were all affected. I hid my sexuality during the time because of the stigma.
‘The Aids tv commercial was awful and with Clause 28 I felt an outcast. Hoping a new generation can learn from the brilliant piece x.’
While one added: ‘I lost my brother to HIV/Aids with dementia in ’97. The portrayal of Gladys Pugh in #ItsASin was painfully accurate and the entire mini-series as you say, a masterpiece.
‘Thank you @russelldavies63 for your sensitive, beautiful and in many ways healing story.’
It’s A Sin returns on Friday at 9pm on Channel 4 and is available to watch on All 4.
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Nigella is teaming up with Grayson Perry on the show (Picture: Getty/Rex)
Nigella Lawson is set to swap the world of cooking for the art gallery, after reportedly joining forces with Grayson Perry in the new series of Grayson’s Art Club.
The food writer and television chef will help to judge works submitted by the public for the second series of the Channel 4 show.
As The Mirror reports, the 61-year-old is one of a number of celebrities joining artist Grayson, along with Boy George, Derren Brown, Russell Tovey, Sue Perkins, Konnie Huq, Johnny Vegas and Mawaan Rizwan.
All the stars will present their own artworks in the new episodes, which are due to start later this month.
The first series of Grayson’s Art Club was launched to help people across the nation escape into the world of art. It encouraged viewers to take part in artistic challenges, including drawings portraits and sketching the view from their windows.
Nigella will be judging the public’s submissions during the Food themed week on the Channel 4 programme.
Nigella will join Grayson Perry to judge the public’s art (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
The other episodes will focus on Family, Nature, Dreams, Work and Travel. The new series is due to begin on February 26.
Nigella is no stranger to the art world having previously been married to Saatchi gallery owner Charles Saatchi.
Nigella recently opened about her experiences while watching Channel 4’s new series It’s A Sin. The drama is set in the midst of the Aids crisis, and the celebrity cook said she was ‘lost for words’ after watching the ‘masterpiece’, saying it helped her ‘remember so many friends’.
Meanwhile, Nigella ended 2020 on a high with her series Cook, Eat, Repeat, setting social media alight with her incredible pronunciation of the word ‘microwave’.
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Nigella Lawson ‘doesn’t focus’ on people’s comments (Picture: Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson says she ‘doesn’t focus’ on what people say about her body when she is on TV, although she has been conscious of her body before.
The TV cook, 61, confessed to People that she has considered ‘holding her tummy in’ in front of the cameras but has become comfortable with herself as she ‘can’t do a lot about’ how she looks.
She also doesn’t ‘equate thinness with health’ after her mum, sister, and husband died of cancer.
She said: ‘A lot of people in my family have died of cancer, and I don’t think you can witness that and equate thinness with health. It’s quite alarming.
‘I don’t focus on what people say about me, even when I’m filming. I occasionally think, “Oh, why didn’t I hold my tummy in?” but it doesn’t last because I was trying to be something other than I am, which would make me feel even more uncomfortable.’
Nigella added: ‘The shape of your body, that’s where the flesh settles, isn’t it? You can’t do an awful lot about that.’
The TV star has learnt to feel comfortable with how she looks (Picture: Getty)
The TV star also opened up about dealing with grief following the deaths of her family members, revealing ‘some years are harder than others’.
‘A loss doesn’t magically go away. The wound is always there, but it’s not as raw,’ she said.
She sadly lost her mother Vanessa Salmon, 48, in 1985 to liver cancer, her sister Thomasina to breast cancer in 1993 aged 32 and her husband John Diamond to throat cancer in 2001 aged 47.
She told Good Housekeeping magazine: ‘I’m not a planner – apart from when it comes to food. But, to be completely honest, I’ve never been able to take for granted that I’d be alive by this age.
‘My mother died at 48 and my sister at 32. And then John at 47. So, even if I were the sort of person who planned ahead, I don’t think I would have seen myself here…I kind of think you can’t do anything about it so why complain?’
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Nigella made a surprise appearance on MasterChef Australia (Picture: Ten)
MasterChef Australia proved that even border lockdowns will stop Nigella Lawson from making an impression in a kitchen.
The British chef sent viewers into a frenzy by popping up unexpectedly thanks to a full-body hologram/video call that stood perfectly next to the hosts.
Currently, Nigella is unable to fly into Australia due to coronavirus lockdown rules restricting who can come in and out of the country, with everyone entering having to do a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
But when there’s a will, there’s a way, and fans of the cooking series were delighted to see Nigella pop up for the latest series from London.
Hosting an elimination challenge, Nigella read out her delicious recipe for the wannabe chefs to take on.
First, the remaining contestants were asked to identify the ingredients to 18 different types of biscuit in 15 minutes.
The star appeared to be in the kitchen thanks to the lifesize hologram (Picture: Ten)
Conor Curran, Brent Draper, Maja Veit, Yoyo Yang and Tom Levick were the least successful in the mission – so were pitted head-to-head in a different challenge.
Using only Nigella’s descriptions, the five had to bake a toasted marshmallow and rhubarb cake.
But viewers were enchanted with Nigella and her iconically descriptive language, saying it was lulling them to sleep.
Nigella later instructed the chefs to create a dish based just on her description (Picture: Ten)
Adore you, Nigella. I’ve been listening to your audiobook Cook Eat Repeat at work here in Melbourne. Who’da thought I’d ever enjoy minutes worth of anchovy talk Xx
I didnât doubt that @Nigella_Lawson would make a grand entrance but she really gave us the cutest, most graceful, superlunary diva moment in her digital appearance tonight on #MasterChefAUpic.twitter.com/tPzwbfkDEF
Nigella is one of many stars making an appearance for this year’s series, with famous faces including Gordon Ramsay able to make it for filming before lockdown took place.
For Nigella’s episode, the full body LED screen allowed Nigella to call into the show live, meaning she could interact with the chefs as if she was there (even if it meant she couldn’t talk to them).
Judge Andy Allen, who was in the studio, was seen having fun with the piece of technology, offering the star a biscuit while she had a cup of tea.
Now if only we had the technology to make that work…
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Nigella and her mee-cro-wah-vay became instantly iconic (Picture: BBC)
Nigella Lawson’s pronunciation of ‘microwave’ has officially been nominated for a Bafta.
The chef – who recently became a hologram on MasterChef Australia – was turned into an immediate viral sensation after warming up milk in her ‘mee-cro-wah-vay’, for a mash potato dish.
But Nigella faces some stiff competition as one of six nominees up for the Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment Award, which is voted for by the public.
Lady Whistledown being revealed on Netflix’s Bridgerton, Chantelle Atkins’ death at the hands of Gray in EastEnders and Luke Skywalker’s shock appearance in Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian have also received nominations.
The cast of Gogglebox tearing apart Boris Johnson’s press conferences completes the shortlist.
David Bouchier, chief TV and entertainment officer at Virgin Media, said: ‘2020 was a year like no other and great television was at the heart of every moment that kept the nation connected, entertained and informed.
‘Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment recognises the TV moments that played such a powerful role in all of our lives throughout the past year.’
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Richard Ayoade, using a studio-based production due to the ongoing coronavirus social distancing expectations.
The TV Baftas will be broadcast on BBC One on June 6.
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Nigella has just done something that spells the end of the cold weather (Picture: Ten)
If we find the weather turns on the weekend and we’re bathed in sunshiney bliss we know who to thank – our lord and saviour Nigella Lawson.
Seeing as we’re still getting about under umbrellas and in our puffer jackets in May of all months, the chef has done her bit in order to make sure the chill goes away.
The TV chef shared with her followers today that she’d gone out and bought some winter gear which, as Sod’s Law will always tell us, will immediately bring about warm temperatures and not a raindrop in sight.
Nigella mused on Twitter on Wednesday: ‘Just want you to know I’ve done my best to bring about warmer weather by buying two polo neck jumpers from Zara!’
In response we may have just gone and bought our own polo necks…you know, just to really do our own bit to make sure this sordid weather is finally in the bin.
Fans of the Cook, Eat, Repeat author had hoped for a swift shift, with one replying: ‘Nigella, you always bring joy…even if you don’t succeed in changing the weather!’
Just want you to know Iâve done my best to bring about warmer weather by buying two polo neck jumpers from Zara!
Wanting some more intel on this wet weather buster, one follower inquired: ‘Your noble sacrifice is noted! Important question, though. Are they snuggly and lovely?’
While her new clothes may not be heat-appropriate, Nigella has clearly got the set-up fit for the sunshine as she recently shared a rare photo of her snazzy home’s outdoor area, complete with what appeared to be a conservatory that led out onto a paved area with bright-pink outdoor furniture.
Although the bad weather is largely set to continue until the end of the month (joy of joys), the forecasts are looking much more positive once we head into June, as the magic of Nigella’s sweaters is fully realised.
England was defeated by Italy in tonight’s Euro 2020 final (Picture: Getty/Rex)
Piers Morgan and Nigella Lawson have led the commiserations to the men’s England team after they lost out to Italy at the nail-biting Euro 2020 final tonight.
The tense game went to extra time and then a penalty shoot-out to decide the winners after the teams were level at 1-1 after extra time, but it was Italy who came out on top.
Kate Moss and her daughter Lila strutted down to Wembley in England shirts, while Tom Cruise and David Beckham were seen fist bumping after Luke Shaw scored the first goal of the match.
And now, despite their loss, they’re still standing beside them and have voiced their praise for Gareth Southgate and the rest of the team for making the country proud.
So proud of the England players. This isnât the time to bring them down. This isnât the time to be racist or single anyone out. England did so well this tournament and Iâm really looking forward to how they do in the World Cup.
England may not have won silverware, but they have won our hearts, theyâve won our respect and theyâll be back again. We love you. #Euro2020Final#England#eng â¤ï¸
Well, thank you @England You were incredible and gave it your all. We love you and you did us proud. Hold your heads high⦠canât wait to see you play again. #eng #threelions
Gutted. Gutted. And proud of the way @England have conducted themselves ð´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿
— Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) July 11, 2021
Nicola Adams
Hold your heads high lads, England hasnât reached the finals in over 50yearsâ¦and most thought youâd never get this far. Be proud! You gave the whole of England some joy after a pandemic ðð¾ ð´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ #engpic.twitter.com/KjFAKE2Yb6
I could cry my eyes out right now; but thatâs football. Instead Iâll think about how I was able to take my dad for an early birthday present to a moment in history and celebrating more than ever supporting a team who have been phenomenal both mentally and physically. pic.twitter.com/JVXrmPBSLT
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However, she has reconsidered some of the more tongue-in-cheek titles of past recipes due to changing slang.
The 61-year-old shares a daily recipe on Twitter from her back catalogue of cookbooks, and recently posted the recipe for Ruby Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly.
She tweeted: ‘#RecipeOfTheDay is a dream of a dessert, and so easy to make. If you’ve never tried home-made jelly before, now’s your chance: Ruby Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly for the win!’
While the picture of the dessert got tummies rumbling, a handful of followers noticed that the raspberry and jelly concoction was previously called ‘Slut Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly’ when first published in Nigella’s 2002 cookbook Forever Summer.
I feel that the word has taken on a coarser, more cruel connotation, and Iâm not happy with that
One person asked: ‘Wonderful recipe (as always!) but it makes me wonder what has happened to this country when we can’t even call that recipe by its hilarious original name. What has happened to our free speech, humour and a sense fun? I love your turn of phrase Nigella!’
Nigella responded: ‘I feel that the word has taken on a coarser, more cruel connotation, and I’m not happy with that.’
She also addressed the name change on her website, writing: ‘This recipe has had a slight name change, but is the same dessert of dreams: the wine-soused raspberries take on a stained glass, lucent red, their very raspberriness enhanced; the soft, translucently pale coral just-set jelly in which they sit has a heady, floral fragrance that could make a grateful eater weep.’
The raspberry dessert isn’t the only one of Nigella’s recipes to get a title tweak.
The writer and chef has published 14 cookbooks (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Earlier this month, the star posted a recipe for ‘Slattern’s Spaghetti’, her version of pasta alla puttanesca, which is usually translated to ‘whore’s spaghetti’.
Nigella explained on her website: ‘Although you will often see its Italian name explained as meaning “whore’s pasta” in English, the general consensus seems to be, however, that this is the sort of dish cooked by slatterns who don’t go to market to get their ingredients fresh, but are happy to use stuff out of cans and jars.
‘I recently had a Twitter conversation with one Jim Hewitt about the new name for this and I gratefully end with this fabulous message of his: “On those days when my mum couldn’t be bothered to brush her hair and cooked dinner using whatever was in the cupboard she would say: ‘Hush. I’m slatterning!’”This is perfect for a slatterning day.’
Since her first book How to Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food was published in 1998, Nigella has published a further 13 cookbooks, most recently Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat, which was released last year.
