Former Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry is celebrating the fact she’s to receive a damehood in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
Mary is one of many celebrities named in this year’s list, with TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, grime artist Dizzee Rascal and footballer Marcus Rashford also receiving recognition.
The 85-year-old said she was “absolutely overwhelmed to receive this very great honour”.
“For most of my life I have been lucky enough to follow my passion to teach cookery through books and the media,” she explained.
Mary added: “I just wish my parents and brothers were here to share my joy, as my only achievement at school was just one O-level – in cookery of course!
“However, I am sure they are looking down and smiling. I will celebrate with my husband and family very soon.”
She added: “I am immensely proud to be a Dame but I don’t mind what people call me.
“I think it causes for a celebration – I think it’s normally white wine but I bet the champagne will be out.”
We’re guessing that celebration will look a little bit like this...
...or, indeed, like this...
Mary has led a long career in the cookery and broadcast industry, most famously judging Bake Off during its stint on the BBC, alongside Paul Hollywood.
Mary made the decision not to remain with the show when it was bought by Channel 4, and has since gone on to appear in shows like Britain’s Best Home Cook and Mary Berry’s Simple Comforts.
The majority of this year’s honours list was compiled before the coronavirus pandemic hit, but it was “deferred in order to consider nominations for people playing crucial roles during the first months of the Covid-19 effort”.
As well as celebrities and other public figures, the list has “prioritised frontline and community heroes who went above and beyond their duties to help others”, with more than a quarter of those being recognised having made “exceptional contributions… in response to the Covid-19 pandemic”.