He's renowned for his bread making skills, his signature hand shakes and judging who will become the next Bake Off winner alongsideDame Prue Leith, but how much do you really know about the Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood?
We spoke to him to find out what we can look forward to in this year's GBBO, plus whether people are scared to cook for him outside the tent!
Last year, for GBBO 2021, Paul told us it was the highest standard of bakers they'd ever had to judge. "The standard was very high again," says Paul of the class of 22. "They're aged from 18 to 60 and we've got a music teacher, an engineer and a nuclear scientist."
We love the antics Paul and Prue get up to with hostsMatt Lucas and Noel Fielding, and last year saw Paul in a variety of costumes including mullet wigs and fringed cowboy jackets for a rocking baking themed parody of Billy Cyrus’ Achy Breaky Heart.
But Paul isn't giving much away about the gags in store for this year, "The opening sketch was a dream come true for me, and Prue looks epic. It was a real giggle and that's all we can say!"
Paul is well-known for his blue eyed poker face that has instilled fear in many a baker, so are his friends scared to cook for him too?
“Probably. If they are then let's get a takeaway! I don’t get invited to a lot of dinner parties. I've got a mate whose house we go to and he’s not a bad cook, but once when he was making pizzas I said: ‘It’s burnt on the edge, not flattened enough, you’ve used the wrong cheese…’
“I couldn’t help myself. You're not going to better your pizzas unless someone says: ‘Don't use that cheese again, roll out your pizzas more, add more water to your dough…’
"What he should have done was buy my new book, Bake. I ended up giving it to him!”
Who is Paul Hollywood's girlfriend?
According to recent reports, Paul's current girlfriend is Melissa Spalding, a 36-year-old pub landlady from Kent. She runs Paul's local pub, the Chequers Inn.
The pair were first spotted together on holiday in 2019 where they visited the luxury five-star hotel in Cyprus where Paul once worked as head baker 23 years ago.
Before he met Melissa, Paul was with Summer Monteys-Fullam. The pair met in 2017 when 26-year-old Summer was a barmaid at the Duke William, in Ickham, Kent. They split in summer 2019.
Paul separated from his wife Alex in 2013 after he had an affair with his The American Baking Competition co-judge Marcela Valladolid. Although they reconciled, they divorced in 2019.
Paul Hollywood's younger years
Born in Wallasey, Merseyside, in 1966, he went on to study sculpture at the Wallasey School of Art but soon left to work as a baker.
He recently shared the below snap of himself in the 80s.
He first worked in his father's bakery in York and eventually went on to become the head baker at a number of leading hotels including The Dorchester, Chester Grosvenor and Spa, and the Cliveden Hotel. He then left the UK for Cyprus, where he worked at two resorts.
How old is Paul Hollywood?
Born March 1, 1966, Paul is currently 55.
Paul Hollywood recipes
From his bread to carrot cake, we've rounded up some of Paul's best recipes tried and tested by us.
Paul Hollywood's mince pies recipe
In this recipe, the Bake Off judge uses a deep muffin tin to ensure plenty of filling in each bite. It might also surprise you that Paul uses ready-made mincemeat!
Paul Hollywood's carrot cake recipe
This cake includes pecan nuts for a delicious crunch along with cinnamon and ginger spices for warmth and is finished with cream cheese frosting.
Paul Hollywood Scones recipe
Paul's soft and simple scone recipe are perfect paired with plenty of clotted cream and jam.
We can also recommend Paul's cheese scone recipe too if you're fancying something more savoury.
Paul Hollywood Soda bread recipe
A fresh loaf of bread in under an hour? Yes please! There's also no kneading involved either.
Paul Hollywood Hot cross buns
Perfect for springtime, these doughy hot cross buns are full of flavour and the addition of apple to the dough enhances the taste and texture.