Mary Berry lashes out at ‘desperate’ I’m a Celebrity stars and says she would never ‘eat testicles’
The former Great British Bake Off star reveals she would never endure one of the grisly Bushtucker trials like the jungle campmates
DURING the recent series of I’m A Celebrity…. Get Me Out Of Here, bosses paid tribute to MARY BERRY by theming a Bushtucker trial on her.
But that clearly hasn’t earned any brownie points with the Bake Off legend, who’s had some harsh words to say about the ITV show.
The usually mild-mannered Mary says anyone who goes into the Australian jungle is “desperate”.
When asked if she would ever go into I’m A Celeb, Mary, who quit Bake Off after it moved from the BBC to Channel 4 earlier this year, said:
“No. The worst thing in the world you could do for me is make me go on that. Oh, the thought. Rats and things. I wouldn’t do that for
anybody. Ever. How people do that. Ew. You must be desperate to do that.”
That’s her off Jungle Queen SCARLETT MOFFATT’s Christmas card list… Mary, chatting to promote her and Paul’s final joint outing together
on The Great Christmas Bake Off, said she has tried sheep’s brain and also likes offal.
But when asked by her former co-judge Paul if she had ever eaten testicles – a staple on the ITV show – she said: “Whose testicles? Never had them.”
The duo, reuniting for a Christmas Day special of the baking juggernaut, also revealed what they would like for Christmas.
Mary said she would like “an IOU” from her husband, while Scouse Paul went for something a bit more childish.
He said: “Years ago, people started buying me 1/18th scale Aston Martins – the models.
“Someone bought me one and I loved it, so I stuck it on a shelf. Next birthday, someone bought me another. Now, I have 22. I’ve got this
collection. I’ve got them on a shelf with all my racing cups.”
When asked if he would rather bake of race, he said: “Racing. I did racing when I was very young before I did baking. I did go-karting.
The difference is that solitude. You’re on your own in the car and it’s just you against the track. I’m on this bottom rung of a new
ladder. I love challenges.”
As if avoiding a soggy bottom isn’t enough.
Lucy won’t be making The Jump
LUCY MECKLENBURGH is not about to add to the injuries she picked up while taking part in the C5 cycling reality show Tour De Celeb.
In fact, the ex-Towie star is so keen to avoid any more bumps and bruises that she has turned down a role on telly’s most dangerous show – Channel 4’s The Jump.
Last year seven celebs were injured on The Jump, including Olympic gymnast BETH TWEDDLE who fractured two vertebrae. When asked if she would appear on the show, Lucy, above, said: “Gosh no, I made a decision not to do The Jump.
I get asked to do quite a lot of things, stuff comes in and you have to make a decision and decide what’s right for you. But no, The Jump isn’t for me.”
She will still be tuning in, though, because her close pal and former Towie co-star LYDIA BRIGHT will be tackling the slopes.
Lucy said: “I think she’ll do well but I did give the little friend lecture and was like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? You could get a broken leg’. But she was like, ‘No I want to do it’. So I was like, ‘OK, I’ll support you’.
“I love skiing but it’s too scary. It’s like watching The Hunger Games.”
I’m not sure anyone has died on The Jump, Lucy.
Gemma and Bobby in Row-ie
ONLY Towie pals GEMMA COLLINS and BOBBY NORRIS, who both love a row, could fall out while eating a nut roast.
The pair trade insults over the dinner table during the first of two Christmas specials, on Sunday night on ITVBe.
It all kicks off when Bobby claims Gemma’s crush on co-star JON CLARK is a “midlife crisis” – a comment “The GC” finds about as amusing as a lame Christmas cracker joke. To rub salt into the wounds, wannabe dad Bobby then tells fellow diner LYDIA BRIGHT that he would rather use her donor eggs than Gemma’s.
The festive specials also see one of my favourite stars, DANIELLE ARMSTRONG, say goodbye to the reality series.
The fashion designer, who I revealed is going to be appearing on Celebrity Big Brother next year, finally cuts all ties with on/off boyfriend JAMES “LOCKIE” LOCK.
She’ll be missed.
To Beeb or not to Bee
THE BBC is still licking its wounds after Channel 4 poached the Great British Bake Off – and it could now be stitched up over The Great British Sewing Bee spin-off.
BBC bosses are in talks with Love Productions about doing a fifth series of the sewing contest. It was presented by CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN – seen here at last night’s BBC Music Awards which she co-hosted with FEARNE COTTON.
But have they left it too late?
Insiders say the original Bake Off deal – which turned sour and meant the show will now be aired on Channel 4 in a £75million three-year contract – included the sewing show. But Beeb chiefs are only now looking at renewing its contract, amid interest from rivals Channel 4 and Sky.
A source said: “There was a huge rift between Love Productions and BBC execs when Bake Off moved and they’re only just getting back round the negotiating table. The ball is in the BBC’s court about whether they want to renew it or not.
“They’ve got to hurry because there’s still interest from other channels. They’re aware of its cult appeal.”
I doubt it will have the same impact if it does go.
Bizbit
IN new show GRAHAM NORTON’s Big Red Chair, starting next year, the Irish presenter gets to know some of the 500 punters on his chat show who have tried to tell him an anecdote hoping not to be flipped out of that famous seat.
Dracula to be a daddy
TELLY star JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS is to become a father for the first time.
The actor who plays the lead in NBC series Dracula, is engaged to actress MARA LANE, who Instagrammed a photo of her bump while standing opposite a man dressed as Santa.
She accompanied the snap with the caption: “#IncomingPackage best present. #ThankYouLord #SantaBelly”. The baby is due early next year.
Soapbox
PHIL’S dying days get darker in EASTENDERS. Sharon is upset when he wants to spend Christmas Day alone.
When an early present of a fancy armchair fails to get him in better spirits, she agrees to respect his wishes and books a pub lunch so the Mitchells will be out of his way on what could be his last Christmas.
Meanwhile, in HOLLYOAKS, Grace makes a scandalous discovery about mum Tracey, who looks to have blown her last chance.
After finding cash stolen from the salon and an empty vodka bottle in her bag, she gives Tracey her marching orders.
But with Tracey being in such a vulnerable and fragile state, this could be a catalyst for her to finally spill their big secret.