Mary, who turned 90 this year, will teach her three star guests (and the rest of us) how to make some of her festive culinary treats ahead of the big day
Mary Berry has told of her delight at having “old and new friends” to cook with this Christmas, as she celebrates her 90th year.
For the BBC1 special ,she will be joined by A Mary Berry Christmas Gavin and Stacey star Alison Steadman, Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball and Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.
Mary and Alison have worked together before, when the actress took part in the Great Sport Relief Bake Off for the BBC in 2016. At the time she admitted to being an anxious cook, saying: “It was exciting, but I was very nervous. Just making a cup of tea in a strange kitchen feels like a challenge, so my heart was racing.”
Despite her nerves, Alison loved the experience of baking with her fellow celebrities in front of Mary, a former judge on the show which now airs on Channel 4, and fellow judge Paul Hollywood. Alison, 79, described Mary as being “lovely and kind, even when criticising”.
Mary also knows Zoe Ball, having appeared several times on her former programme the Radio 2 Breakfast show, usually to promote a new book or new TV series.
But she is less familiar with former Olympic sprinter Harry, who is now best known to families around the country as Nitro from Gladiators, and also competed in the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, leaving the show a few weeks ago after impressing many with his routines alongside pro dancer Karen Hauer.
As she celebrates Christmas in her 90th year, Mary tells the Mirror: “I’ve had so much fun this year cooking with old and new friends for my series and this Christmas special is the icing on the cake.
“To have Alison, Harry and Zoe join me to make a range of delicious recipes for all kinds of festive occasions is simply joyful.”
The programme sees Mary enjoy the traditions that we cherish at Christmas from the ones that are personal to each family, to those enjoyed by the whole country – like trips to see the Christmas lights, carol concerts and picking the Christmas tree.
Mary chats to her guests about all the things that make Christmas such an important time of the year – including the food. In Mary’s Christmas show viewers can see how to make some delicious festive treats including pigs in blankets cassoulet, roast king mushrooms with chestnut stuffing, a cherry and lemon mille feuille and a grand finale of pear and ginger steamed pudding.
Executive producers Kelly Sparks and Karen Ross added: “It wouldn’t be Christmas without our Dame Mary Berry and her sparkling recipes. What a joy it’s been to film her celebrating the nation’s favourite festive traditions with some of our favourite stars.”
BBC commissioning editor, Ceri Aston, said that Mary was guaranteed to impress viewers with her fail-safe recipes. “As always she has neat solutions for a range of Christmas occasions peppered throughout the episode and coupled with her guests, this is a must-see special Christmas treat.”
- A Mary Berry Christmas, 17 December, BBC1, 9pm
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