- Dame Mary Berry DBE is to be awarded BAFTA Fellowship for her exceptional contribution to television
- The BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises is set to take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 10 May, hosted by Greg Davies and broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Today, BAFTA announces that Dame Mary Berry DBE will be presented with the BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on Sunday 10 May. The BAFTA Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual, in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
Dame Mary Berry is one of the UK’s most beloved broadcasters with a career spanning six decades. She first appeared on television in the 1970s and has since built an incredible list of credits across every major broadcaster and is recognised by generations of viewers.
Mary’s role as a judge on The Great British Bake Off was nothing short of transformative. By shifting the genre towards a format rooted in warmth and encouragement, she inspired a national resurgence in home baking and established a new paradigm for competitive programming, one that champions craft and joy.
In March 2025 to coincide with her 90th Birthday British Vogue sat down with Mary to discuss the remarkable amplitude of her career. This was followed by a BBC One Special, looking at Mary’s extraordinary life and career and included surprise guests and birthday messages from HRH The Prince of Wales among others.
Mary’s extraordinary contribution to broadcasting was recognised with a Damehood in 2020 for services to broadcasting, the culinary arts and charity work. The BAFTA Fellowship, celebrating 60 years of broadcasting, is a fitting tribute to a legacy that has genuinely enriched British television, British culture and the lives of millions.
Dame Mary Berry DBE, said: “I couldn’t believe it was true, what a huge honour to be presented with the BAFTA Fellowship. For over 50 years, I have enjoyed every moment of teaching my passion on television and I thank all the generous professionals along the way who have given me guidance and support – and I am still learning. This amazing BAFTA Fellowship is the icing on cake!”
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “Dame Mary Berry is a singular talent whose warmth, craft and generosity have helped shape the very best of British television. Mary Berry for more than 60 years has informed, inspired and entertained audiences, setting a new benchmark for factual entertainment, proving that expertise and empathy can draw huge audiences in primetime. The BAFTA Fellowship is our highest honour, and we’re proud to celebrate Mary’s extraordinary legacy at this year’s BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises.”
The Fellowship will be presented to Dame Mary Berry during the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises ceremony on Sunday 10 May at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. The ceremony will be hosted by Greg Davies and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
BAFTA Fellows previously honoured for their work in television include Kirsty Wark, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE DL, Meera Syal CBE, Sir Billy Connolly, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Jon Snow, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Joanna Lumley, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Sir Michael Palin, Sir Trevor MacDonald, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Julie Walters and Kate Adie CBE DL.
Last year’s BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises delivered an average audience of 2.5 million on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, while @BAFTA socials generated over 23 million video views on awards day.
P&O Cruises is the headline partner for the BAFTA Television Awards for the fourth year running. The P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award is the only award voted for by members of the public, honouring the impact of television and its power to bring the nation together. This year’s shortlist was announced on Tuesday 17 March and can be found HERE. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday 10 May.
Follow @BAFTA on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn and X to get all of the latest updates, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises. Social posts should use #BAFTATVAwards with @PandOCruises.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Multitude Media BAFTA Team: baftaTV@multitudemedia.co.uk
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Multitude Media BAFTA Team: baftaTV@multitudemedia.co.uk
About BAFTA
BAFTA’s mission as a charity is to champion the creative and cultural importance of the screen arts across film, games and television. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of talent initiatives and learning events — including masterclasses, lectures, scholarships, bursaries and mentoring schemes in the UK and North America — BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, inspires practitioners and learners, and supports the next generation of creative talent. For more information visit: bafta.alchemy.construction
About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is Britain’s favourite cruise line, welcoming guests onboard its seven ships to experience holidays with a blend of discovery, choice, relaxation and exceptional service catered towards British tastes. With a proud history spanning more than 187 years, each ship has its own appeal from family friendly or exclusively for adults with every sailing delivering each guest a holiday like never before.
With over 180 destinations worldwide, P&O Cruises itineraries are carefully curated to inspire discovery and are varied to suit newcomers and experienced guests alike. P&O Cruises prides itself on working with top culinary talent; Food Heroes include chefs Marco Pierre White and José Pizarro as well as award-winning drinks expert Olly Smith.
Recent awards for P&O Cruises include:
1. Wave Awards 2025 – Best Advertising & Marketing Campaign
2. British Travel Awards 2025 – Best Cruise Line for Family Holidays
3. The Travel Industry Awards 2025 by TTG – Industry Marketing Campaign of the Year
4. Sailawaze Excellence Awards 2025 – Best in Entertainment
5. Best in Cruise Awards by Cruise Critic Awards 2025 – No-Fly Cruise Line (Ocean Category)
The company is part of Carnival Corporation & PLC (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).
