Dame Mary Berry's family were shocked by her Great British Bake Off success
Dame Mary Berry's daughter Belles has revealed how her family reacted to her stint on the beloved baking show.
Dame Mary Berry's family never expected her Great British Bake Off success.
The 91-year-old star joined the hit baking show as a judge alongside Paul Hollywood on the inaugural series in 2010, and she remained on the programme for seven years until its move from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2017.
Speaking about her mother's Bake Off role, daughter Belles told HELLO! magazine: "None of us saw that coming.
"That was the heyday of her television time, and [presenters] Mel [Giedroyc] and Sue [Perkins] became dear friends.
"Mum still loves what she's doing at 91 - she's writing another cookbook."
Belles, 54, admitted she hopes she's instilling her mother's optimistic attitude in her own children.
Belles - who is an author and Le Cordon Bleu chef - has Louis, 21, Hobie, 18, and 15-year-old Atalanta with her ex.
She added: "Mum is incredibly positive.
"I hope I've instilled that in my children because I think that's the most important lesson - to turn things from a negative to a positive."
Mary quit Bake Off in 2016 before it moved to Channel 4 the following year, and she previously admitted she doesn't keep up with the show because it would be unfair on her husband Paul J.M. Hunnings.
She told the Daily Star newspaper: "I don't think it's fair on my husband. We're testing recipes all the time, thinking what's going in the next book.
"It's not fair in the evening to turn on a cooking show as he's seen quite enough of it."
The food expert - who cast a critical eye over the aspiring bakers with 60-year-old chef Paul Hollywood - was replaced by Dame Prue Leith.
Restaurateur Prue, 86, announced her departure from The Great British Bake Off in January, with food writer Nigella Lawson, 66, now on judging duties with Paul.
And Mary is "absolutely delighted" that Nigella will be on the programme's 2026 series - expected to air in mid-to-late September.
Speaking at January's the Radio Times Covers Party 2026, Mary said: "I’ve also recently heard Nigella Lawson is the new Bake Off judge, and I’m absolutely delighted.
"It will give Bake Off a wonderful new flavour, and Paul and her will get on like a house on fire."
