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Emotional Mary Berry thanks 'son in heaven' for BAFTA Fellowship award - after tragic death aged 19

Dame Mary Berry shared a nostalgic story about the only channel she had available on telly as a child after being presented with the BAFTA Fellowship for her contributions on screen

Dame Mary Berry grew emotional as she was honoured with one of televisions most prestigious awards after receiving the BAFTA Fellowship for her "exceptional contribution to television".

The cooking icon, now 91, was presented with the British Academys highest honour during the ceremony at Londons Royal Festival Hall. Former Great British Bake Off presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins handed Mary the award, as the star jokingly credited them with leading her "astray from day one".

Mary concluded her speech by tearing up as she thanked those closest to her, including her husband and two living children. She also paid tribute to her late son William, who died in a car accident in 1989 at the age of 19. She said: "William is in heaven, but I thank him.

Mary has a remarkable television career that spans over five decades, and she told fans that she is overwhelmed by what an icon she has become in the UK while receiving the award. She told the audience: "Im really bowled over by this accolade. Im a cook, Im a teacher, so I feel very honoured to be given Baftas highest award." She reflected on the crazy life journey she has been on fondly, sharing: "It seems no time ago when I left Bath High School with two O-levels in needlework and cookery.

[Dame Mary Berry receiving her Fellowship Award at the BAFTAs]

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The famous baker admitted that the BBC was the only channel she watched as a young child(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)

"Ms Date, my domestic science teacher who was just knee-high to a grasshopper and had such a lovely smile she set me on my way. I kept in touch with her till her last days in her care home in Bath." Mary also took the opportunity to praise the broadcaster that helped shape her career, calling the BBC a cornerstone of British television.

The baking guru shared: "Television wasnt part of my childhood. We had our first black-and-white TV when I was 10. One channel: the BBC of course, and its been my home for so many of my TV adventures over the years. It is the broadcaster that we must cherish."

Mary then revealed that her first programme was filmed more than half a century ago, saying: "My first programme was on Collectors World, filmed in Bristol at the Georgia House in 1971."

"I cooked a cows udder pie, and you dont forget that one," she added, leaving the audience in fits of laughter. After those early days, Mary went on to front many cookery programmes, including Foolproof Cooking and A Very Royal Christmas, and also published several bestselling recipe books.

[Mary Berry on BBC Two show Mary At 90: A Lifetime Of Cooking]

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Mary is best known for her time as a judge on The Great British Bake Off(Image: PA)

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(Image: Hart / Evening News / Rex Features)

However, her popularity soared to new heights when she joined The Great British Bake Off as a judge between 2010 and 2016. Mary joked about an unexpected challenge that the show forced her to face, saying: "Bake Off came along and my whole world changed.

"I knew my baking inside out but I had to start thinking of what I was going to wear. It was all about the jackets, mainly because I could tuck a hot water bottle underneath because the tent was so chilly in the morning, first thing."

While looking back on her decades in broadcasting, Mary described television as the perfect platform for sharing her passion for food. She added: "I see myself as a teacher and television is the best and the biggest classroom that there is. Its a great place to share what I love best. Ive had such fun."

The queen of baking proudly announced that she is still learning new things after 50 years in the industry, and has no plans to slow down just yet. With a smile to the audience, Mary asked: "So whats next for me, at the age of 91? I have just started my own YouTube channel. We shall see."

The BAFTA Fellowship places Mary among some of the most respected figures in British broadcasting, as previous recipients include Kirsty Wark, Sir Billy Connolly, Dame Joanna Lumley and Sir David Attenborough.

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