‘HOLLYWOOD’ WASN’T BORROWED, IT BECAME MINE

By Alex Hollywood

WHEN I married The Great British Bake Off judge Paul 25 years ago, I never questioned ditching my maiden name — Moores — and taking the name Hollywood. It just seemed the natural thing to do when starting a life together.

My ex wasn’t remotely famous back then and, when my son was born, everyone having the same name felt right.

I do think we grow into our names over the years. They become part of who we are. And when I made the decision to end our marriage, I simply wasn’t the girl I used to be all those years ago.

Too much had happened and it didn’t feel like the right thing to do to hand my name back like a ring or a car. I hadn’t borrowed it; it had become mine.

The deciding factor was my son’s concern that he and I would no longer share the same name, rather as if I were divorcing him as well as his father.

It was important for both of us that my name stayed the same.

I’m also an established food writer with two books under my name. I was writing as Alex Hollywood long before the divorce.

Furthermore, I couldn’t face having to change every piece of documentation I owned or needing to have birth certificates and a proof of name change to hand over to officials whenever I took my son on holiday.

Divorce is a horrendous experience, as anyone who has been through it knows only too well.

It knocks the stuffing out of you and, when the dust settles, making a change can be exhilarating. So I completely understand how some women can feel liberated with a name change, distancing themselves from their previous life to start afresh.

I respect Victoria for her decision. But in my case, the situation is slightly different.

Because of media interest in my ex’s life, it really makes no difference what I choose to call myself — stories will inevitably arise.

The bottom line is what you call yourself is up to you. Do whatever suits the strong, independent woman you’ve become.

For me, my name reflects who I am now: a food writer and a mother.

My name is my name, and I wouldn’t want to change a thing.