Dame Mary Berry, the beloved TV cook and former Great British Bake Off judge, delivered an emotional speech as she accepted the Bafta Fellowship Award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards. The 91-year-old paid tribute to her late son, William, who died in a car accident in 1989 at the age of 19.
Receiving the highest honour from the British Academy, Dame Mary praised the BBC as her 'home of many years' and described the broadcaster as 'the broadcaster we must cherish'. She was introduced by her former Bake Off co-stars Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, whom she joked had 'led me astray' from day one.
Reflecting on her career, Dame Mary recalled her humble beginnings: 'I left Bath High School with two O-levels in needlework and cookery.' She credited her domestic science teacher, Ms Date, for setting her on her path. 'Television wasn't part of my childhood. We had our first black-and-white TV when I was 10. One channel: the BBC of course.'
Dame Mary also shared memories of her early TV work, including a 1971 appearance on Collector's World where she cooked a cow's udder pie. 'Things have changed. When I started, it was just me, no home economist, no backup, and I loved every single moment.' She described herself as a teacher, saying 'television is the best and the biggest classroom that there is.'
In a poignant conclusion, Dame Mary thanked her three children, including William, saying: 'William is in heaven, but I thank him.' She previously spoke about his death on The One Show, recalling the moment a policeman knocked on her door. 'I knew then that something was wrong... We talk about Will a lot and we were very proud of him.'
