Mary Berry was nearly the only judge on the ‘Great British Bake Off’.
The culinary queen has fronted the tummy-gurgling show alongside Paul Hollywood since it first hit screens six years ago but she had admitted producers initially only wanted her until she demanded a sidekick.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, she said: "They [the producers] said there would be quite a lot of bread-making, which I am not so good at, so I said I would need another judge to do the job properly.
"There were four different bakers to choose from and they said, ‘Which one would you like?’ I told them it’s not what I want it’s what they and the viewers would like, so I got Paul Hollywood and I’m quite happy!"
However, the 81-year-old legend believes the programme will have no problem surviving if Paul, 50, was to decide to leave the show.
Asked if the show would survive without the silver fox, she said: "I’m sure it would. Paul’s great company. He’s got great wit, he’s a brilliant baker and enormous fun to be with. I think he brings so much to ‘Bake Off’."
Mary thinks the presenting duo Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc – who are known for their hilarious catchphrases – are key to the show’s success.
She said: "The four of us, Mel, Sue, Paul and me, are a team. We get on really well and our aim is to make a good programme.
"A lot of that goes to Mel and Sue — if you could hear what they say off camera you would laugh even more."
Mary Berry was meant to be only judge on Great British Bake Off
