Mary Berry calls for us to “cherish” the BBC as she accepts prestigious award and pays tribute to children

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Okay, so at the BAFTA TV Awards in 2026, they gave Dame Mary Berry a lifetime achievement award – the BAFTA Fellowship! It’s seriously well-deserved; she’s done so much for television over the years, and it was lovely to see her recognized. As a big fan of cooking shows, I was thrilled!

The 91-year-old star of The Great British Bake Off received a standing ovation as she spoke passionately about how important the BBC is.

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, the former hosts of Bake Off, presented her with the trophy. They famously left the show with Mary Berry when it switched from the BBC to Channel 4.

Chef and TV personality Giedroyc warmly commended Berry, highlighting her kindness, elegance, playful spirit, and strong sense of right and wrong – qualities Giedroyc feels are especially important today.

When the celebrated performer took the stage, she playfully echoed the warm feelings, teasing the television hosts as “dear friends who’ve been a bad influence on her since the beginning.”

I was so moved when she accepted the award! She said she was completely overwhelmed – a cook and a teacher, she felt incredibly honored to receive BAFTA’s highest honor and to be recognized alongside such amazing people. It was truly a special moment.

Berry didn’t grow up with television; his family got their first one – a black and white model – when he was ten years old.

The BBC has been my professional home for many years, and it’s a broadcaster we really need to support.

Looking back on her five decades in television, Berry shared that she was a very skilled baker. She also playfully mentioned wearing her signature Bake Off jackets to discreetly hide hot water bottles, as the tent was often quite cold.

  • Read more: BAFTA TV Awards 2026 winners: Full list of winners

She described herself as an educator, viewing television as the largest and most effective learning environment. She also expressed her appreciation for her colleagues.

She said the most important things in life are kindness, patience, and respect. Even after working in her field for fifty years, she continues to learn and grow.

Berry announced she’s starting her own YouTube channel. She then lovingly acknowledged those who have supported her, including her husband Paul, who is 94, her children Thomas and Annabel (who were watching), and her son William, who sadly passed away in 1989 at the age of 19.

Fighting back tears, Berry finished by saying, “William is at peace, and I’m grateful for him. Thank you, BAFTA.”

The BAFTA Television Awards are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

Authors

Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Tilly Pearce is a freelance journalist who covers television, from popular reality shows like Love Is Blind to science fiction series like Fallout. She’s a highly qualified journalist, accredited with the NCTJ Gold Standard, and has experience working as an editor at both Digital Spy and Daily Express US, where she previously served as Deputy TV Editor (covering maternity leave) and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor respectively.

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2026-05-11 00:04