It’s all about top quality ingredients for Mary Berry, who credits her good genes with keeping her fit and active, as she approaches her 80th birthday.

The Great British Bake Off star and food writer – who had a knee replacement in January – insisted she has no intention of retiring because she loves her job so much.

Mary told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on ITV’s This Morning: “I’m pretty excited (about my birthday) and I love what I do. To me it’s not work, it’s something that I have done over the years … and now, if people ask me things, I know the answers because I’ve been doing it for such a long time. I love it.

Mary Berry hosts Absolute Christmas Favourites
Mary Berry loves her job (BBC/Shine TV)

“My mama died at 105 – not that I want to go on that long – but I’ve got the genes and I am so lucky because I have so many friends who are poorly or have something and I feel absolutely fine, and I love what I do.”

The TV presenter will celebrate her 80th birthday on March 24.

Mary admitted she does rely on making lists to help her remember things. She said: “I am a to-do list person, but mainly because I forget everything. I try to do it the night before, and then it’s so lovely to tick everything off as you do it.”

Mary was on the ITV show to promote her new recipe book, Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites.