Dame Mary Berry nibbled by bed bugs during the making of early season of Bake Off – The Mirror

The 86-year-old cooking legend as well as her co-stars was forced to stay in budget accommodation in the early years of Bake Off before it became a smash hit and had to contest with unexpected roommates while they slept

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The Great British Bake Off might be something of a crown jewel in the world of UK reality TV but back in its humble beginnings the show stars had to slum it with Dame Mary Berry even suffering the indignity of staying in a bed bug riddled accommodation.

The hit series began back in 2010 when it first aired on BBC Two before moving to BBC One in 2014 and ultimately transferring to Channel 4 in 2017 following an explosive bidding war.

The series originally starred presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins while the judges were Dame Mary and Paul Hollywood.

While 55-year-old Paul is now the only star that still works on the show, 52-year-old Sue has been reflecting on the early years of the series long before she and 53-year-old Mel were replaced.

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Opening up to the Full Disclosure podcast, Sue revealed that show judge Mary had to stay in budget accommodation that was riddled with bed bugs during an early season.

She recalled: Bake Off can only be seen now through the prism of huge success.

But we were there at its inception, when Barrys burger vans were the in-house catering, when we were in a youth hostel at 25 a night and Mary Berry got bed bugs.

"We were a travelling show and the team had to put the tent up.

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Sue also spoke about the way in which the long-running cookery contest has changed over the years from being more education based to more of a reality battle of talent.

She said: Wed spend 16 or 17 hours a day interviewing people in the tent who were Anglo Saxon experts about why theyd put rabbits feet in a sponge in the 12th Century.

"But it evolved hugely from the intense documentary about foodstuffs into the beloved programme it is now.

We had a make-up artist who painted a mulberry, purple sort of colour lipstick on me in one series.

I looked like Id been dragged from a riverbank, I looked like a mottled corpse on Casualty.

Meanwhile, Paul might still be working on the show but he hasnt been resting on his laurels while not filming he has been doubling up as a pizza chef in his girlfriends pub.

The chef has been dating Melissa Spalding, 37, since 2019 and she is currently advertising the fact that her lover is rustling up food in her public house.

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A Facebook notice stated: Delicious authentic Italian pizzas cooked fresh to order!! Our chefs for the night will be Scott Spalding and Paul Hollywood.

While photos of the star have emerged online showing him working with dough and toppings to create delicious pizzas.

A source also told The Sun: While most landladies might have to shell out for a star chef, Melissa can just call her boyfriend. She and her parents hope he will get some business through the door.

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Dame Mary Berry nibbled by bed bugs during the making of early season of Bake Off - The Mirror