Mary Berry quits The Great British Bake Off: Her best moments

The baking expert has announced she's stepping down from the show 'out of loyalty' to the BBC - following its move to Channel 4

Bake Off fans have once more been hit with utter shock, having only just recovered from Mel and Sue's departure from the show following its move to Channel 4.

Mary Berry has officially stepped down from the show, taking the decision to stay with the BBC "out of loyalty" to the network; stating, "What a privilege and honour it has been to be part of 7 years of magic in a tent – The Great British Bake Off. The Bake Off family – Paul, Mel and Sue have given me so much joy and laughter."

"My decision to stay with the BBC is out of loyalty to them, as they have nurtured me, and the show, that was a unique and brilliant format from day one. I am just sad for the audience who may not be ready for change, I hope they understand my decision. I wish the programme, crew, and future bakers every possible success and I am so very sad not to be a part of it. Farewell to soggy bottoms."

Charlotte Moore, the Director of BBC Content added, "Mary is an extraordinary woman, loved and adored by the British public, and the BBC is her natural home. I've been very lucky to have had the pleasure of working with Mary over the last seven years and I'm so pleased that relationship will continue. She is an inspiration to generations, a real icon and I can't wait to cook up more unmissable shows with her in the future."

In tribute to her departure, we've collected some of Berry's very best moments on the series; proof of what an immeasurable loss to the show she'll surely be.

Her Best Quotes

While whisking egg whites: "There it is, looking perfectly stiff."

Sue Perkins, while dabbing Paul's mouth with a tea towel: "Let me just wipe you down."
Mary: "No, we'll do it with a hose later."

On biscuits: "Some of them have got a good forking."

On Paul: "He likes his buns."

While criticising dough balls: "Oh no, you have some irregular shaped balls."

Her Best Reactions

The Fondant Incident

One of the most legendary moments in Bake Off's history proved Berry's warm demeanour could quickly turn poisonous if any contestant dared to commit a mortal sin as unforgivable as (gasp) using shop-bought fondant, as season 5 contestant Enwezor soon learned while making his Space Adventure Moon biscuit sculpture. That was the end of Enwezor's Bake Off journey, unsurprisingly; he was booted off by the end of the episode.

The Hemp Loaf

Though Bake Off's primarly a learning space for its contestants, Berry got her own lesson in the world of hemp flour and oil when contestant Howard Middleton made a date and hemp tea loaf on the programme; leading to some incredibly perplexed facial expressions and Berry's query as to whether the green flour was grass, with Sue Perkins finally offering up an explanation.

And of course... all the Soggy Bottoms.

Meanwhile, Paul Hollywood has signed a deal to judge The Great British Bake Off when it airs on Channel 4.