‘RETIRE? I don't think so'

After time off for hip surgery, Dame Mary Berry is busier than ever. Here, she opens up on her recovery and what’s next

- KIRSTY NUTKINS

As the doyenne of baking, it’s hard to imagine Dame Mary Berry putting her feet up and allowing others to take charge in her kitchen. But that’s exactly what happened recently, when the 87-year-old was forced to take a rest, following a fall at home.

Last August, she spent 10 days in hospital after tripping over some bricks while picking sweet peas in her garden. After it was discovered she had broken her hip, Mary had surgery. This meant that the ever-busy star had to spend a couple of months convalescing, shelving her work and home commitments, while her loved ones rallied round.

‘My daughter, Annabel, and all the family were wonderful and helped out, while I got better,’ says Mary, who had three children with her husband, Paul – her daughter and two sons, Thomas and William, the latter of whom sadly passed away as a teenager. ‘Also, I have a very sweet neighbour, Victoria, who cooked all these lovely dishes, like lasagne, which was so kind and thoughtful.’

Now, a slight limp is the only sign of the surgery she had and Mary says that she’s made good progress. ‘I’m fine,’ she smiles, clearly keen not to make a fuss. ‘I’ve been doing lots of physio and going for walks uphill close to home, to get my mobility back. I had no idea it was going to take quite so long, but I have been patient with it.’