Dame Mary Berry delivered a deeply emotional tribute to her late son William while being honoured with the British Academy Television Awards’ highest honour at Sunday’s ceremony.
The 91-year-old television icon received the BAFTA Fellowship, recognising a career that has spanned more than six decades.
During her acceptance speech, she reflected on her journey from schoolteacher to household name, and also paused to honour her family in a moment that moved the audience.
Mary mentioned her husband Paul, 94, who was watching from home, as well as her children Annabel, 56, and Thomas, 58. She then spoke about William, who passed away in a car accident in 1989 at the age of 19.
She said she still sees herself as a teacher at heart, adding that television became “the biggest classroom” she could ever imagine. She also spoke warmly about her early days at Bath High School, joking about leaving with only two O levels in needlework and cookery, a memory she has often shared with humour over the years.
Reflecting on her time on The Great British Bake Off, she recalled the cold early mornings in the famous tent and how she would tuck a hot water bottle under her jacket.
She described the experience as life changing and said it opened a completely new chapter for her.
As her speech continued, she thanked her family again and quietly acknowledged William, saying, “William is in heaven, but I thank him.”
She added that moments like this make her think of her parents, expressing how much she wished she could pick up the phone and share the news with them.
Mary, one of three children born to Margaret and Alleyne Berry, also reflected on her family history. Her father passed away in 1989, while her mother lived until 2011, reaching the age of 105.
The TV star has previously spoken about William’s tragic car accident on the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast, revealing that her daughter Annabel was also in the car at the time.
She recalled how William had asked to borrow a sports car, which he was insured to drive, and she had told him to check with his father first. She described him as careful and reliable, saying the crash was completely out of character for him.
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