“Theywere all shaking like leaves!”

Even for the Queen of Baking herself, Mary Berry, walking into the Great British Bake Off’s iconic white tent for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience.

But as she explains today, the 12 contestants taking part this year were even more petrified because the BBC show has become such a massive hit.

“I do feel anxious when I walk into the tent again but I should not need to worry because by the time we get to the final, I am more than delighted,” says Mary.

“But the bakers were nervous. They all practice in their own kitchens and then they get to Bake Off and they are shaking like leaves with fear! They don’t have the equipment from home, many don’t have free-standing mixers and they have to talk to the TV cameras for the first time too.”

Smiling happily, Mary says she still loves doing Bake Off just as much as she did when it first started seven years ago.

“Paul, Mel and Sue are like family to me,” adds Mary. “And so are the crew. I do love it and Bake Off is the most important thing for me.” At the age of 81, Mary looks far younger in the flesh and puts her secret down to a healthy appetite and plenty of walks in the countryside near her home in Buckinghamshire. “I do watch what I eat,” she says. “I do not do any training other than I walk and I play tennis. I do eat cake. Cake is very important!”