Mary Berry, 85, ‘uses BINOCULARS from a balcony to judge Celebrity Best Home Cook’

Mary Berry has reportedly used binoculars to judge BBC‘s new series of Celebrity Best Home Cook, set to air later this year.

In a new interview, contestant and Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson claimed the chef, 85, checked in on the competitors from a balcony as the BBC enforced the measure in a bid to limit the possibility of contracting coronavirus.

The former Great British Bake Off star fronts the panel alongside Gordon Ramsay’s former protégée Angela Hartnett, 52, and fresh producer importer Chris Bavin, 40, while Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman, 48, presents the programme.

Extreme: Mary Berry has used binoculars to judge BBC’s new series of Celebrity Best Home Cook (pictured with Chris Bavin, Claudia Winkleman, Angela Hartnett in 2019 show)

On Mary’s unique judging stint, actor Tom, 34, told The Sun: ‘Mary, for the whole thing, because of Covid, was on a kind of beautiful mezzanine that they built for her.

‘And they gave her a pair of beautiful opera glasses so she could look over and see what we’re up to, which was just great. I couldn’t be happier about her being there.’

According to the publication, the 15ft-high platform has been built above the cast’s kitchen. 

This year’s edition will mark the show’s third series, with Tom, former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, First Time Mum star Ferne McCann and actress Ruth Madeley leading the line-up. 

Safety comes first! The chef, 85, is believed to have checked in on the competitors from a balcony in a bid to limit the possibility of contracting coronavirus (pictured last September)

‘I couldn’t be happier about her being there’: Contestant and Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson has teased details about the upcoming show (pictured in September 2019)

CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel, ex Corrie star Shobna Gulati, former Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas, and comedians Ed Byrne and Desiree Burch will also go head-to-head on the hit.

It is understood that Mary joins the rest of the socially-distanced group when she samples the stars’ dishes with her fellow judges. 

Best Home Cook first aired in 2018 and saw oncology research biobank technician Pippa Middlehurst win the series, before returning to screens two years later, when accountant Suzie Arbuthnot took home the coveted title.

The line-up: (L-R) Rachel Johnson, Shobna Gulati, Desiree Burch, Gareth Thomas, Ed Byrne, Tom, Ed Balls, Karim Zeroual, Ruth Madeley and Ferne McCann are this year’s contestants

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Mary and the BBC for further comment.  

Presenter Mary recently discussed filming the show during the global crisis, telling You magazine: ‘I’m obeying the rules, as we all should. We should do all we can to stop the spreading. 

‘When it comes to filming, I’ve already had a test, I’m having another one tomorrow before we start Britain’s Best Home Cook again, and we will keep our distance as we film. 

‘When I’m home I avoid going out, other than into the countryside, and someone gets our groceries for us so we haven’t been to any shops.’

Past stint: The media personality, who recently revealed she’s avoided leaving her home during the global crisis, starred in GBBO from 2010–2016 (pictured with Paul Hollywood in 2015)