The rise of Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood - plus how much he's REALLY worth (2024)

GREAT British Bake Off just wouldn't be the same without Paul Hollywood, whohas been a staple of the show ever since it started in 2010.

He's back on judging duties for The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2024.

Who is Paul Hollywood and what is his net worth?

Born on March 1, 1966, in Cheshire, Paul Hollywood is a celebrity chef and TV presenter.

The star is best known as a judge on the Great British Bake Off - and moved with the show from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2016.

He is the only original member of the Bake Off line-up still on the hit series.

Paul has gone on to take part in the American version of GBBO, The Great American Baking Show as well as Channel 4's Paul Hollywood Eats Mexico.

The talented star has also had other TV spots on shows like This Morning.

As well as his telly work, he also has also released 11 cookbooks, with many of them being best-sellers.

Due to his TV work, and also his impressive book collection, Paul is one very rich man.

The star baker has an impressive net worth of £12M.

The Sun also revealed how Paul earns £400K a year for his work as a judge on Bake Off.

What baking experience does he have?

Paul grew up in a baking family, as his father was a baker.

After quitting his course at the Wallasey School of Art, he was employed in his dad’s bakery in York, before going on to work at a number of different pastry, bread and cake outlets.

Paul rose up the ranks to work as a head baker in a number of prestigious establishments around the UK and abroad before finding fame, including The Dorchester, The Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Cliveden Hotel.

How tall is paul Hollywood?

Paul is a heartthrob, but in spite of being considered very handsome, he is neither tall nor dark.

He stands at a smaller than average 5' 7.5" — or 171.5 centimetres.

According to Medical News Today, the average height for a male in the UK is 5' 10" (178cm).

Is Paul Hollywood married?

Paul is married to pub landlady Melissa Spalding from Kent, who runs the Chequers Inn in Smarden.

The pair struck up a relationship back in September 2019, with her moving into the TV chef's 18th Century farmhouse during the lockdown.

Melissa and Paul married in Cyprus in September 2023.

A source said: “It was a very tasteful and stylish wedding and the hotel management really pulled out all the stops to make it a memorable day. There was a very lively party with loud music and lots of drinking that went on until late into the night.

“Paul is very close to the hotel owners and they made sure that everybody had a great time. He loves Cyprus and it was a wonderful setting for what was a beautiful occasion.”

Paul hasn't seen his son since November 2017 and the split has been deeply distressing to him

Spokesman for Alexandra HollywoodThe Daily Mail

Before meeting Melissa, Paul dated Summer Monteys-Fullam, until they broke up in August 2019.

The Bake Off Star was also married before, to his first wife Alexandra Hollywood.

They were wed from 1998 but separated in 2013, before divorcing in 2019.

Claims made regarding Paul's fidelity — or lack of — were cited as the predominant reason for their split.

A source revealed: “In the last few months, Alex had completely given up on their relationship.

“The trust was totally gone. She just didn’t want to make it work any more. She feels fame has changed him. He’s not the same man she fell for all those years ago.

“He used to joke about just being a simple baker when he first became well-known, but these days that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“He’s a huge star, and he knows it. He’s had all the success he could ever have dreamed of, but she fears it has gone to his head."

This was Paul's only other marriage, so the baking hunk has tied the knot twice.

Does Paul Hollywood have Children?

Paul has one child with his first wife Alexandra.

His name is Josh and he is 21 years of age.

Other than that, there is very little information about him available — he prefers to keep his personal data out of the public spotlight.

In 2023, there were reports that Josh did not attend his father's wedding to Melissa.

After Alexandra was left heartbroken by Paul, who left her for barmaid Summer Monteys-Fullam, then-teenager Josh stood by his mum.

A friend told the DailyMail: “Josh did not go.”

And a spokesman for Alexandra also told the newspaper at the time: "Paul hasn't seen his son since November 2017 and the split has been deeply distressing to him.

"Paul is aware of his son's feelings on the matter.

"Alex would never normally comment but on this occasion it is important that the truth is known and that Josh is protected.

"Josh has behaved admirably over the past two years and has only ever made Alex proud during very difficult times with all the newspaper articles about his father."