Nigella Lawson wears a burkini on Bondi Beach

For admirers of Nigella Lawson's Rubenesque curves, the prospect of the domestic goddess hitting the beach was one to savour.

 Nigella was covered head to toe in a burqini Photo: MATRIX

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Nigella Lawson at Bondi Beach in Australia with friend Maria McErlane Photo: MATRIX

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Miss Lawson purchased the burkini from Islamic swimwear company Modestly Active Photo: MATRIX

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor, The Telegraph 19 Apr 2011

From corseted Vivienne Westwood gowns to figure-hugging cashmere twinsets, the television chef never fails to make the most of her voluptuous figure.

So her choice of swimwear for a dip off Sydney's Bondi Beach came as something of a surprise. Rather than a revealing swimming costume, Miss Lawson was covered head to toe in a burkini, the modesty-saving outfit designed for Muslim women.

The 51-year-old cut a striking figure as she splashed in the surf with her friend, comedian Maria McErlane. While Miss McErlane wore a skimpy bikini, Miss Lawson was protected from the elements in a black two-piece and peaked cap, leaving only her hands, feet and face showing.

Rather than a sudden conversion to Islam, her choice of outfit was motivated by a desire to shield her creamy complexion from the Australian sun. "Nigella was protecting herself from sunburn, nothing more than that," said her spokesman.
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