Sabina MonteysFullam: ‘It was hard as a mum to watch that’
The mother of Paul Hollywood’s scorned lover speaks out about her daughter’s treatment
It was hardly the stuff of fairy tales – a married man, leaving his wife for a woman almost
30 years his junior.
But Sabina MonteysFullam, 48, had no choice but to support daughter Summer, 24, when she fell for twinkly eyed star baker, Paul Hollywood, 53, while working behind the bar of his local Kent pub.
Except now, the mum-oftwo is the one dealing with the fall-out, after a humiliating ordeal – where Paul tried to force Summer to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), leading to an acrimonious split in August 2019.
In her first interview since the couple parted ways, protective mum, Sabina, said: ‘It’s been hard for her and it’s been hard as a mum, as a parent watching that.’
Summer and Paul had known each other for years, before their friendship developed into something more in November 2017. They were together soon after Paul announced his split from his wife of two decades, Alex, in 2017.
And Sabina had her reservations about their relationship – but admitted she had no choice but to support them. She added: ‘I knew the age difference would be a typical stereotype narrative that people would pick up on.
‘I said to Summer, “Are you serious?” and she said “yes”, so I said, “Well, if you do love each other, then we’ll support you 100 per cent.” We’re always there for them whatever they need.’
Paul’s exwife, Alex, reportedly rowed with his ex-girlfriend, Summer, in a Marks & Spencer’s carpark in Canterbury back in February. And Summer’s split from Paul led to public mud-slinging where she accused the baker of holding on to her possessions, including some pet chickens, which he later gave back.
Now, Summer is focusing on getting her life back on track after the ordeal – something her mum is delighted about. ‘She’s always had this really sort of cheeky, sassy spark and sparkle and, for a little while yes, it left the building, Sabrina said.
‘I’m excited to see it back... with a vengeance!’
‘She’s always had a spark and for a while it left the building’