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As Dame Mary Berry launches a new series to celebrate her 90th birthday, the celebrities who feature in the BBC show have told just how much they enjoyed cooking alongside her. And she, in turn, has loved teaching them how to get to grips with a few simple meals that they can now produce time and time again. When it came to learning her own craft, Mary says she discovered how to be successful at fronting TV cookery shows back in the 1960s, when she became a regular guest on Judith Chalmers’ show Good Afternoon. “She gave me great guidance,” Mary remembers. “Judy told me: ‘You're not smiling when you're doing it. You don't talk to the crew. You really must. They're helping you. Lift your head and smile at them.’ She said, ‘If you're not fun, they'll turn over to the other channel and there's only one more channel.’ She was right, I was so nervous I was concentrating too hard. So from that day I smiled, I looked at everybody, talked to everybody, and it changed for me. I enjoyed it.” An astonishing 60 years later, Mary has long been one of the best-loved presenters on the BBC, having relaunched her career alongside Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off in 2010, at the age of 75. But even after all these decades, it’s clear that the reason Mary continues is because of the happiness it brings her. “I love teaching cooking, whether it's with television, radio or in a book,” she explains. “In my books I started doing step-by-step techniques, I think I was the first to do so. If I can help people with some inspiration for recipes, make a suggestion for a dinner party meal, or help non-cooks with a step-by-step guide to an easy supper – that’s what brings me joy. I want to produce recipes that people can share together which are achievable and can be cost efficient too - which is tasty.” When it comes to the celebrities in her new six-part series, some she knew before and others she’s only just met. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re far better cooks now, having had a series of lessons with Mary, who actually celebrated her 90th birthday back in March. The One Show’s Alex Jones , 48, said Mary had become a close pal. "I’m not the most accomplished cook and luckily my husband is very handy in the kitchen, but what could be better than being taught by the one and only Queen Mary Berry? She has such patience and really is a fantastic teacher and over the years she helped me perfect a few of her delicious recipes. More than anything, Mary is a very special friend and I really value our friendship.” Mary reciprocated, saying: “How I adore Alex, having known her for many years she is a real mate and I’m always so pleased to be able to teach her some of my favourite classic recipes - Alex’s cooking has definitely improved over the years.” Alan Titchmarsh , 76, also felt that Mary had also helped him enormously. “My wife Alison uses Mary’s recipes all the time. It seemed only right that I should pull my weight and learn at least a couple of them. Both are absolutely delicious and they will now become my signature dishes!” Mary said it felt fair to help Alan, because he had helped her. “He inspires me with my gardening ,” she explained. “When I was cooking with him he was so enthusiastic – if a little nervous. He’s a novice cook and it was the first time he’s ever made a cake.” She was delighted when he tried out her spaghetti recipe at home, sending Mary a picture. “I thought, ‘that is sheer dedication’ and I was thrilled. I inspired Alan to cook in the same way that he inspires me to garden – I love that we inspire each other.” Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe, 36, said Mary had also brought some big changes into his life. “Somehow I managed to get a Dame round who didn't once judge me for my kitchen shortcuts,” he marvelled. “I hope I did Dame Mary proud and maybe now I’ll stop doing scrambled eggs in the microwave.” Mary enjoyed the actor’s company enormously. "I couldn’t have asked for a better student in Kiell. He shares my love of having friends round and entertaining but just needed a little help with the cooking part. The trick is to keep it simple which is what we did and Kiell served some amazing food.” In his episode, comedian Tom Allen took a boat trip with Mary. "What could be more delightful than cruising down the river with Dame Mary cooking al fresco?” he wondered. “Aren’t I lucky? It was a privilege to be endowed with Dame Mary's 60 years of expertise. We cooked with gas….literally!” Mary said she’d had so much fun with Tom, 42. “He has a fabulous sense of humour and made me giggle. He loved making my classic bread and butter pudding – it’s a recipe that I’ve not changed in 60 years, although it’s the first time I’ve cooked it by the side of a river.” Like Alex, Mary was already friends with sports presenter Gabby Logan , 52. “We used to live in the same village so I’ve known her for a while,” Mary said. “She’s a very good cook and is so modest. I’ve had supper with her where she made a fantastic soup. Gabby is so busy juggling her job with family, she was the perfect person to prepare four freezer-friendly recipes with.” And Channel 4 ’s celebrated chef Jamie Oliver also stars in one of the shows. Saying it was “a real honour and a joy” to cook with him, Mary recalls: “I remember when Jamie appeared on our screens, cheeky and keen to reach everyone. He had this very fresh approach, he was a sort of overgrown schoolboy cooking, with all sorts of quick ideas,.” She said that, as an audience we soon grew to trust Jamie, 50, thanks to his “brilliant” recipes that appeal to all ages. “He’s a good all-rounder and I’ve followed him from the day one, and I’m full of admiration for him.” - Mary at 90: A Lifetime of Cooking, BBC2, Tuesday, 7.30pm Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
