‘There’s plenty of time to rest in heaven’ says Mary Berry, 89, after admitting she doesn’t want to live beyond 90

FORMER Great British Bake Off judge Dame Mary Berry has said there’s ‘plenty of time to rest in heaven’ as she opened up about her hectic work life at the age of 89.

Mary previously said she didn’t want to be a Centenarian and that 90 was a “good innings”.

Ten years ago, 79-year-old Mary said she had no wish to live as long as her mother, who died aged 105, and that very old age had no appeal, especially if you haven’t got your marbles.

Mary, whose father died in the 1990s aged 85, added to Radio Times: “I certainly don’t want to be a burden, although under British law you can do nothing about it.”

Mary continued: “I have no desire to be a centenarian. I think 90 is a great time. You’ve had a good innings.

“You have to deal with the cards that have been dealt, of course, but I don’t think very old age, if you haven’t got your marbles, can be very nice.”

However Mary – who is 90 next year – thankfully appears to have changed her mind.

Discussing her new series Mary’s Foolproof Dinners, where she meets celebrities and helps them create exciting new dishes, she revealed when questioned about what she might do next that she still has lots to offer.

Mary said: “Well, next, I’m 90, so I don’t quite know what we’ll do for that but I still have lots of thoughts and ideas.”

She ended her answer by adding: “and there’s plenty of time to rest in heaven.”

Mary’s Foolproof Dinners sees Mary bring a lifetime of culinary knowledge to the table, making dinner a pleasure as she joins a host of famous friends.

Each face their own challenges with making the main meal of the day and in each of the half hour episodes she shows them how creating dinners can be completely foolproof.

If they want comforting family classics, clever ideas for alfresco dining or something truly celebratory.

Mary’s ingenious recipes are guaranteed to succeed every time, giving her guests the confidence to try new dishes at home.

When asked what inspired her to make Foolproof Dinners the topic of the series, she replied: “Whether you call it dinner or supper or tea, the main meal of the day is a real focus, and this series embraces all kinds of those meals

Mary Berry’s Foolproof Dinners airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer and recipes will be available on the BBC Food website.