Pleased as punch! A top TV award for Mary Berry
SHE has been dubbed the doyenne of baking and queen of The Great British Bake Off, but Mary Berry has now got a new title – the best TV judge in Britain.
The 81-year-old appeared overwhelmed by her victory at the National Television Awards last night, and punched the air with joy.
She said she had assumed Len Goodman, who recently stepped down as Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge, would win the award, and was ‘shocked’ when her name was called.
Speaking backstage at London’s O2 arena last night, she said: ‘I’m very proud. The Great British Bake Off is such a wonderful programme and it has got all the young baking, it’s got
‘We’ll keep going for as long as we can’
some of the fathers baking.’
Asked how she felt about beating The X Factor judge Simon Cowell in her category, she said: ‘I don’t mind beating Simon Cowell.’
Miss Berry will not be appearing on The Great British Bake Off when it moves to Channel 4 later this year. And she ruled out an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: ‘I am the most clumsy person.
‘My husband would leave me. My children would chuck me out. Never.’
In a demonstration of their dominance, Geordie duo Ant and Dec won their 16th consecutive best presenter award, fighting off competition from Great British Bake Off’s Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
The pair, who recently signed a three-year ‘golden handcuffs’ deal with ITV, also won best entertainment show with Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Before the ceremony they said: ‘Winning would be amazing. Well keep going for as long as we can. If we win tonight it will be booze, booze, booze.’
The shock result of the evening came as Casualty was crowned best drama of 2016, beating big-budget shows such as The Night Manager and Game Of Thrones.
Despite being considered a rank outsider in the category, the BBC hospital drama triumphed in the public vote. So unlikely was the victory that the cast appeared speechless when they went up of stage to collect the award.
Cathy Shipton, who recently returned as original Casualty nurse Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin, spoke on behalf of the cast as she said they were ‘overwhelmed’ by the result.
Casualty was first broadcast in 1986 and had been nominated for the best drama award in three previous years before its victory last night.
The BBC’s Call The Midwife trounced Poldark and ITV’s Victoria in the period drama category.
Sarah Lancashire was awarded best drama performance for her portrayal of Sergeant Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley.
The only award in the night not voted for by the public was the special recognition award, which went to chat-show host Graham Norton.