BAKE OFF JUDGE SANDI’S VERDICT Paul will rise above love split

BAKE Off’s Paul Hollywood will bounce back from his marriage split, according to co-star Sandi Toksvig.

The Channel 4 cookery star split for the second time from his wife Alexandra last month after 19 years of marriage.

Sandi, 59, said: “Of course he will bounce back.

“He’s lovely, I’m in love with him. He’s such a teddy bear.

“Never mind about the steely blue eyes, he’s just a great big cuddly bear.

“He’s kind. He’s a really kind man and a loyal friend. I really like him. He’s a good man.”

Paul, 51, and Alexandra previously separated in 2013 when the TV baker admitted having an affair with Marcela Valladolid, his co-star on the US version of Bake Off.

Before the latest split was announced Paul was pictured sharing a kiss with former Bake Off winner Candice Brown, 32. Both later said they were just friends.

Despite the split, former scuba diving instructor Alexandra appeared upbeat on Friday.

Tweeting a picture of the chick- en dish coq au vin, she said: “Afternoon Tweeters! (...picks herself up brushes herself down...) so I’m cooking my Grandma’s Coq au Vin today.”

Paul’s co-star Sandi, speaking at the Sky Women In Film And TV Awards on Friday, said: “People go through issues in their private life and he’s my friend. I will always be there for him.”

The pair are in touch online most days with co-stars including Noel Fielding, 44, and Prue Leith, 77.

The four are set to meet in the coming weeks for a Christmas lunch and Sandi says Paul will provide the wine.

She added: “I will put Noel in charge of games.”