Hollywood splits from wife after 20 years

GREAT BRITISH Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood and his wife are separating after nearly 20 years of marriage.

Hollywood and his wife Alex announced yesterday that they are to split, four years after they had previously separated when he admitted an affair.

In a joint statement yesterday, they said: “It is with sadness that we have decided to separate. Our focus continues to be the happiness of our son, and we would ask the press and public to allow us privacy as a family during this very difficult time.”

Paul and Alex, also a chef, married in 1998, and they have a teenage son together.

They previously separated in 2013 when the TV chef admitted to having an affair with Marcela Valladolid, his co-star on the US version of Bake Off. They couple reconciled a few months later and he described the incident as “the biggest mistake of my life” in an interview with BBC Radio 5 live at the time.

The baker, 51, will return as a judge for the second series on Channel 4 next year after the show’s switch from the BBC.

Meanwhile, Bake Off favourites Selasi Gbormittah and Val Stones are among the previous contestants returning to the show. Hollywood, fellow judge Prue Leith and hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be back for two festive episodes on Channel 4. Each show will see four ex-contestants return to go head-to-head for the Star Baker crown. Broadcast dates have yet to be confirmed.