Nigella dries Nigel’s tears at play time

IT WAS a date that ended in tears for near identically named foodie writers Nigel Slater and Nigella Lawson.

The pair popped out for the opening of Toast, Slater’s play based on the story of his childhood, in London. And Nigella was on hand when he had an unexpected reaction to his stage mum’s death.

‘I know the play inside out, and I said to myself: “I’m not going to cry,” ’ Nigel said.

‘I really lost it, I had Nigella next to me and she held me. It was so sweet. It was so comforting.’ Not as comforting as a slice of Nigella’s chocolate Guinness cake, I’d wager . . .