Mary Berry secured a spot as a national treasure when she joined co-judge Paul Hollywood on the first series of The Great British Bake Off in 2010.
The veteran TV cook has been at the centre of many memorable moments during her time on the show, from “soggy bottoms” to fondant-related death stares, and her penchant for a trendy jacket.
Here are some of Mary’s highlights as she announces she is leaving the popular baking show when it moves from the BBC to Channel 4.
Soggy bottoms
Mary is perhaps best known for her kind yet critical judgments on the bakers’ attempts. Her most famous sign of disapproval is to remark on a bake – usually an undercooked pastry – with a “soggy bottom”. On a show known for its cheeky innuendos, this is the standout, and Mary also made reference to it in her official statement announcing her departure from the series.
Boozy doughnuts
Mary has won legions of fans for her fondness of bakes that include alcohol, and in the fifth series she was incredibly impressed with baker Luis Troyano’s boozy doughnuts.
Cocktail doughnuts? Mary Berry’s face says it all… #GBBO pic.twitter.com/EemPjZkEJA
— BBC One (@BBCOne) September 24, 2014
After taking a sip of the rum-laced cocktail doughnut, Mary pulled a delighted face and said: “I mean, why are we bothering with the doughnuts?”
Her reaction has since been captured and recreated in gifs and memes across social media.
Sausage jokes
During the latest episode of Bake Off, a social media stir was caused as contestant Candice Brown handed Berry a large black pudding sausage. The octogenarian judge showed some gusto as she gladly took the foodstuff in her hand as Candice told her to “feel the weight of that”.
“Feel the weight of that, Mary” #GBBO pic.twitter.com/FcGbOfrqFp
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) September 21, 2016
Style icon
By the third series of Bake Off, Mary had secured her place as an unlikely style icon as she swapped cardigans for trendy and often brightly coloured blazers. In 2014, during a broadcast of the programme, a printed jacket from Marks & Spencer had sold out in one hour due to Mary wearing it on the episode.
Long live Queen Bezza! No-one pulls off a bomber jacket quite like you. #MaryBerry #GBBO pic.twitter.com/ywyd3fVIX1
— Lizzie (@lizziefornow) September 22, 2016
Mary’s horrified ‘death stare’
In series five, Mary made headlines for her ice-cold, unimpressed gaze, directed at baker Enwezor Nzegwu in reaction to the use of store-bought fondant in his 3D biscuit scene Showstopper piece. It was dubbed the “fondant death stare” on social media, and Enwezor was eliminated from the Bake Off tent at the end of the episode.
The great Jaffa Cake debate
The debut episode of the current series saw Mary chastise Paul for dipping a Jaffa Cake into his tea before eating it, leaving fans on social media in hysterics.
Unimpressed, she told him: “We don’t do that in the south, you know.”
Mary Berry does not approve of dunking. #GBBO😱 😱 pic.twitter.com/EoQFwSmU9X
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 24, 2016
Mary’s cheeky innuendos
As well as her “soggy bottom”, Mary is known for her use of an innuendo almost as much as presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. One such moment saw her commenting while whisking egg whites: “There it is looking perfectly stiff.”
