She said recently that she loved judging and wanted to do it again, but couldn’t bear the thought of doing so on a television show that might compete with The Great British Bake Off.
Now Mary Berry is to return to our screens in her favourite role — this time in an attempt to find Britain’s best home cooks.
The former Bake Off host is to be the lead judge in a new BBC1 series, Britain’s Best Cook, due to begin next year.
Comparisons are likely to be drawn with Bake Off, the hugely popular show by Love Productions. Its producers insist that it will be different because it will not focus on baking.
A BBC source said: “Producers are keen to point out the differences [from Bake Off]. It’s Mary Berry returning to her first love, which is home cooking. That will make it quite distinctive.”
Advertisement
Presented by Claudia Winkleman, a second judge is still being sought for the eight-part show in which ten contestants vie to produce the best traditional roast, or an “ingenious twist on chicken curry or an irresistible chocolate pudding”.
The move comes after Berry, 82, decided not to move with Paul Hollywood and the Great British Bake Off to Channel 4. She said: “I am never more at home than when I have my judging hat on.
“This series is going to encourage proper home cooking, which I have always championed, and I cannot wait to start. Claudia, for me, is the icing on the cake.”
Berry has recently been on screens in Mary Berry Everyday, showcasing some of the recipes from her long career, and has also signed up to make Mary Berry’s Secrets From Britain’s Great Houses for BBC1. It is understood that the BBC is keen to retain her, and to reward her loyalty.
Winkleman, 45, the co-host of Strictly Come Dancing, was recently revealed to be the BBC’s highest-paid woman on a list of talent published by the corporation with a salary of about £450,000. Berry was not on the list of highest paid stars because she would have been paid by an independent production company.
Advertisement
Winkleman said: “I am over the moon to be part of this show. I am slightly obsessed with Mary so will follow her around with my own moussaka for most of the filming. Apologies in advance.”
Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s director of content, said: “Home cooking has quietly become one of the nation’s favourite obsessions and so there is no better place than BBC1 to compete for this crown.
“The queen of all judges Mary Berry will be the indisputable head judge with the irresistible Claudia Winkleman hosting proceedings. But, who will be Mary’s judging partner? The search is on!”