Mary Berry gets Bafta Fellowship for TV work

Dame Mary Berry, aged 91, has been given the Bafta Fellowship. This is the highest award from Bafta for her many years on TV.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Awards |

Dame Mary Berry, a figure synonymous with British television, has been awarded the prestigious Bafta Fellowship for her significant contributions to the medium. The 91-year-old cook and broadcaster, best known for her long tenure on The Great British Bake Off, is set to receive the academy's highest accolade at the Bafta Television Awards ceremony on May 10th at London's Royal Festival Hall. The event will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Berry, who expressed being "immensely honoured" and "completely overwhelmed" by the recognition, views the fellowship as "the icing on the cake" after over five decades in the public eye. She reportedly stated her surprise at receiving such an honor as a cook, often associating the award with actors and directors. The Bafta Fellowship is described as the academy's most distinguished award, acknowledging an "outstanding and exceptional contribution" to film, games, or television.

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While Berry's personal accolade dominated the coverage, her acceptance speech, delivered at the ceremony, reportedly included a sentiment urging the public to 'cherish' the BBC. This call comes amidst ongoing discussions about the future and funding of public service broadcasting in the UK. Berry's remarks underscore the perceived value of institutions like the BBC, framing them as essential elements of the television landscape.

The Bafta Television Awards themselves are described as a celebratory close to the awards season. According to reports, this past year in television has been characterized by "really stand-out water cooler moments" across various genres, including drama and comedy. Specific programs mentioned in this context include Adolescence, Celebrity Traitors, Amandaland, and Last One Laughing. Berry's own past television work has seen her tackle diverse culinary challenges, from making "cow's udder pie" to recreating Victorian dishes, showcasing a career that has spanned various formats and historical culinary explorations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who received the Bafta Fellowship on May 10th?
Dame Mary Berry, the 91-year-old cook and broadcaster, received the Bafta Fellowship. This is the highest award from Bafta for her significant contributions to television.
Q: Why did Mary Berry receive the Bafta Fellowship?
She was honored for her outstanding and exceptional contribution to television over five decades. She is well known for her work on shows like The Great British Bake Off.
Q: What did Mary Berry say about the BBC?
Reports say that Mary Berry asked people to 'cherish' the BBC in her acceptance speech. This comes as people talk about the future of public TV in the UK.
Q: What other TV shows were mentioned at the Bafta Awards?
The Bafta Television Awards also highlighted shows like Adolescence, Celebrity Traitors, Amandaland, and Last One Laughing for their "stand-out water cooler moments" this past year.