Mary Berry reveals why she doesn’t watch Great British Bake Off and what she has planned for the future

Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry is one of the country’s most beloved food journalists and chefs. Ever since starting her career as a Food Editor at Housewife magazine in the 1960s, Mary has made a name for herself with her straightforward instructions and emphasis on traditional British cooking. She eventually published her first cookery book in 1966.

She later edited Ideal Home magazine before appearing on the 70s show Afternoon Plus with Judith Chalmers. Since then, Mary has been a part of many TV shows and has written over 75 cookbooks. She judged GBBO from its inception in 2010 until 2016 when she left for an unexpected reason.

Mary Berry reveals she doesn’t watch GBBO anymore

Despite being one of the original stars of the show, Mary has previously revealed that she doesn’t watch it anymore. The show, which made Alison Hammond its new co-host last year, initially aired on the BBC before shifting to Channel 4.

In an interview with the Mirror in March 2023, Mary told the publication that she doesn’t watch the show. The 89-year-old said:

I had seven wonderful years at Bake Off and it’s a wonderful format. It gets people and children cooking.

I don’t actually watch it, because you can imagine, being married to me, there’s a lot of food about, so we don’t watch much cooking on telly.

She added that the show now has a ‘different way of life’ with the new stars. She originally judged the show with Paul Hollywood alongside hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. When the series moved to Channel 4, Mel and Sue also left the show alongside Mary. Meanwhile, Paul — who can be brutal with his feedback — stayed on the show.

What is Mary Berry doing now?

Since quitting GBBO, Mary has been involved in many TV shows. Most recently, she has been a part of Mary’s Foolproof Dinners on BBC Two and iPlayer. According to the BBC, it is a 6-episode series of 30 minutes each where Mary teaches her guests foolproof recipes for dinner.

Mary’s book—Mary's Foolproof Dinners—is expected to be released later this year. Speaking about the show ahead of its launch, Mary said:

We had so much fun with the series last year, I’m delighted we’re returning with six more fabulous friends to change their thoughts about cooking with new foolproof recipes.

Dinner is often the meal where we need the most inspiration at the end of a long day or to step out of the same old recipes that we can get stuck in a rut cooking. And what’s more – these really are foolproof – I can’t wait to share them with you.

Mary has also written many other bestselling cookbooks such as Mary Berry Cooks, Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites, Mary Berry at Home, and Mary Berry's Baking Bible, reports Penguin.co.uk.

Despite being 89, Mary has no plans to slow down, according to BreakingNews.ie. She said:

I don’t want to retire at all. I have a passion for what I do and I love teaching. I mean, I’ve got wonderful health… I’m really lucky. I love what I do.

In 2009, Mary was awarded the highly coveted Guild of Food Writers Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2012, Mary was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Read More

Paul Hollywood: Meet the Bake Off presenter's reported new wife, Melissa Spalding

Alison Hammond: From This Morning to The Great British Bake Off, this is how much she makes

Great British Bake Off: Former host Sue Perkins was shot, took psychedelics, and more

Sources Used

Mirror: Mary Berry wishes Alison Hammond well but won't be watching Great British Bake Off

BBC: Dame Mary Berry makes evening meals effortless with Foolproof Dinners

Penguin.co.uk: Mary Berry

Breakingnews.ie: Mary Berry at 88: ‘I don’t want to retire at all – I love what I do’