Dame Mary Berry has praised Alison Hammond, the new presenter of The Great British Bake Off, but she has stated that she would not be watching new episodes.
The renowned culinary writer and television broadcaster, 87, served as a judge on Bake Off for its first seven series before quitting in 2016 when the programme left the BBC.
Since then, Prue Leith, age 83, has continued to serve as a judge with Paul Hollywood.
This Monday, it was announced that TV host Alison Hammond would take up the position held by host Matt Lucas in 2022.
Once the news emerged, Dame Mary was among many who paid respect to Hammond, who has hosted This Morning on ITV for nearly two decades.
She said (via The Mirror): ‘I hope she’s very good. They’ve had a good swap round since I left. But they’re all good, they bring a different way of life to Bake Off.’
Nevertheless, the renowned baker, who now has her own food series, stated that she will not watch Bake Off seven years after her own departure.
She explained: ‘I don’t actually watch Bake Off – you can imagine, being married to me, there’s a lot of food about, so we don’t watch much cooking on telly.’
Dame Marry did explain her comments, stating that she adores Bake Off and is astounded by how many people have taken up baking as a result of its success.
She continued: ‘It gets people and children cooking. Cooking from scratch, all very easy, and encouraging people to do what I enjoy.’
‘I think people are at last shopping locally, and going to local markets, and going to pick-your-own, and making the most of the less expensive things.’
Dame Mary has presented Mary Berry’s Cooks, Britain’s Best Home Chef, and Mary Berry’s Simple Comforts since leaving Bake Off.
Supporters of Bake Off hope that the next season, which will include Hammond and Noel Fielding, will see the programme return to its glory in the 2010s, when Dame Mary served as a judge.
Watch The Great British Bake Off – Stand Up to Cancer on All 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.
