WHEN 17 year-old schoolgirl baking star Martha Collison was reduced to tears by judge Mary Berry’s criticism in TV’s “The Great British Bake Off” many viewers were sympathetic.

They may have felt the judge was too harsh when she criticised Martha’s custard tart for having a “soggy bottom” – especially when she moved on to praise the next contestant’s “perfect” pastry.

Sorry, Martha, but toughen up, girl. Life involves criticism and you can’t always be the best. Learn right now to accept the odd critical statement, and be better next time. Some of us have never even got past creating soggy bottoms.