TV cooks mustn’t be fat, says Mary (who was a bit chubbier once herself )
SHE may eat decadent pastries and sponges for a living – but Mary Berry has little tolerance for television foodies who pile on the pounds.
The Great British Bake Off judge has warned against presenters allowing themselves to get too rotund, saying it could put viewers off indulging.
‘You don’t want somebody who’s judging cakes to be large,’ she said. ‘Or else people will say, “Look what happens when you eat cake”.’
The 80-year- old – who has slimmed down since she presented cookery shows in the 1980s – believes that moderation is the key to staying trim while judging food that is high in calories.
‘I think to eat cake is very good for us, but it’s the size of the slice and how often you
‘Cake is very good for us’
have it,’ she told the Sunday Times food magazine, The Dish.
Miss Berry’s comments may strike a chord with fellow judge Paul Hollywood, 49, who recently complained that his work on Bake Off was making him gain weight.
But some cooks were less than impressed with her comments.
Simon King – half of the Hairy Bikers duo, whose weight loss attempts have been well documented – said: ‘ They’re daft and naive. Most vi ewers wouldn’t even register what someone l ooked l i ke.’ Chef Richard Corrigan, who has made numerous television appearances, added: ‘I like Mary – but I’d always rather see a fat person with an open mind on TV than a skinny person who didn’t know what they were talking about.’
The Great British Bake Off, now in its s i xt h series, has attracted growing numbers of viewers.
Last week’s semi-final drew in 10.2million – more than watched Wales beat England i n the Rugby World Cup the previous weekend. The final on Wednesday is set to be the biggest TV event of 2015 – and the most watched episode in the show’s history.
This year’s favourite to win is Nadiya Hussain, 30, a motherof-three who wowed judges last week with a peacock sculpture made from chocolate.
She will go up against travel photographer Ian Cumming, 42, and trainee anaesthetist Tamal Ray, 28.