On your marks,get set...JUDGE!

They’re feared and respected as the exacting judging duo on Bake Off, but what do Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood really think of each other? (And do they know what the other would order in the pub?) Victoria Young finds out…

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MARY BERRY, 81, lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband, Paul. They have two grown-up children, Thomas and Annabel, and had a third, William, who died in a car accident in 1989. Mary has published more than 75 cookery books and has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off since its launch in 2010.

PAUL HOLLYWOOD, 50, has been a baker since he was a teenager and worked in his father’s bakery. He is married to Alexandra. They have a son, Josh, and live in Kent.

What have you learned from each other since working as judges? 

MARY When I started Bake Off I wasn’t a bread expert in any way. Now, I’m still not! But I do know a lot more about bread and I can make a decent loaf because, over the years, Paul has explained the principles to me. But don’t think for one minute I can do without him – I can’t! 

PAUL I’ve learned about how people bake at home because all my work has been in big kitchens. So I’ve had to learn about taking things down to small quantities; I’m not used to dealing with one and two; I normally deal with 40 or 50, which is a whole different ball game.

What is Paul’s strength? 

MARY Like me, his main aim is to encourage people to bake and to be fair. I think that he’s quite tough, but he’s very fair. Although he is sometimes a little bit harsh in the way he delivers his judging. He could be a bit more gentle than “It’s a mess!”.

And Mary’s? 

PAUL It’s being forceful, without being overtly forceful, which is down to her use of vocabulary. I just say it like it is. Mary can give the same message, but say it nicely. I can’t do that.

What about weaknesses?