The much-loved chef Dame Mary Berry, known for her role on The Great British Bake Off, made the comment while accepting an award at the recent Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards
Dame Mary Berry reportedly had an issue with a crowd (Image: Getty Images)
Dame Mary Berry has issued a heartbreaking plea and told a crowd that she’s “deaf” while attending an awards ceremony.
The incident occurred at the recent Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards, where the former Bake Off star received a special award. However, she reportedly had an issue with the noise the “raucous” crowd was making.
In fact, the much-loved chef, who took to the stage at The Royal Exchange in London, asked the crowd to keep the noise down, stressing the importance of the occasion.
Mary, who recently turned 90 and is currently working on a new show with the BBC, explained that they “must hear every single person” before telling the crowd that she was “deaf,” reports the Mail.
The much-loved chef asked the crowd to keep the noise down(Image: BBC)
According to the publication, she said: “Please do keep it very, very quiet. It’s such an important occasion, and you must hear every single person that comes up here. I’m deaf and there are maybe one or two others that also find it difficult to hear everything.”
Speaking previously about her health issues, the TV star described how she was “lucky” to have a mild infection when she had polio when she was only 13, prior to the development of a vaccine.
Despite this Mary, whose condition predominantly impacted one side of her body, continues to suffer from damage in one hand, although people often think it’s due to arthritis.
She even spent three months behind a glass screen (separating the future chef from her parents) in a bid to prevent infection. Speaking to the Radio Times, she revealed how it impacted her work.
Mary, who also has a twisted spine, said: “Everybody thinks I’ve got arthritis. I look a bit funny when I’m rolling pastry, but I have no other difficulties whatsoever.”
Mary, who recently turned 90, is currently working on a new show(Image: PA)
In 2021, the beloved food writer had a fall in her garden and suffered from a broken hip. She went on to have surgery, crediting croquet for helping her move her joint again.
However, Mary doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon, as her new show is set to grace our screens later this year. A source revealed that it would be a “tribute to the Mary’s joy of cooking”.
It’s believed the show is being produced by the firm Sidney Street, which was also behind Foolproof Dinners. It will also include some of the star’s best memories and, of course, offer up her recipes.
Mary has appeared on our screens for five decades and has sold more than 12 million cookbooks. Her latest six-part series, which will tie in with a cookbook of the same name, is due to air in the autumn.
The source said: “Mary is a national treasure so what better way to celebrate her than a new series. It’ll be a tribute to the Mary’s joy of cooking and sharing good food.”
A spokesperson for Dame Mary has been contacted for comment.