Dame Mary Berry to receive BAFTA Fellowship

Dame Mary Berry, the 91-year-old culinary icon and former judge on The Great British Bake Off, will receive the BAFTA Fellowship, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' highest individual honor, at the BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London.

The award recognizes Berry's outstanding and exceptional contribution to television over a career spanning more than six decades, since her debut on screen in the 1970s. BAFTA described her role on The Great British Bake Off, where she served as a judge from 2010 until 2016, as "nothing short of transformative." The organization credited her with shifting competitive programming toward a format rooted in warmth and encouragement, inspiring a national resurgence in home baking while championing craft and joy.

Berry, who was made a dame in Queen Elizabeth II's 2020 Birthday Honours, expressed disbelief and gratitude upon learning of the honor. "I couldn’t believe it was true, what a huge honour to be presented with the BAFTA Fellowship," she said. "For over 50 years, I have enjoyed every moment of teaching my passion on television and I thank all the generous...