Paul Hollywood breaks with his wife
HEART-THROB television chef Paul Hollywood was facing awkward questions yesterday about a pretty co-presenter after announcing he has split from his wife of 15 years.
As a judge on The Great British Bake Off, Paul, 47, has seen his celebrity rise like one of his famous loaves.
But yesterday it emerged that he has moved out of the £800,000 cottage he shared with his wife Alexandra, 49, and son Joshua, 11, into a nearby bachelor pad.
He is said to have become “very close” to American celebrity chef Marcela Valladolid after they judged a US version of the baking contest together.
Although they have been on separate sides of the Atlantic since filming ended, Paul and Marcela have shared tweeted pictures of themselves working together.
Marcela, 34, a divorced mother-of-one has also heaped praise on the “handsome devil” in a series of flirtatious Twitter posts.
Yesterday, the Merseyside-born chef – known as “The George Clooney of Baking” – confirmed the marriage split through his agent.
“We confirm that Paul Hollywood has separated from his wife,” a statement said.
“Their priority is protecting their son. He will be making no further comment on this private matter.”
News of the separation emerged after Paul attended the BAFTA awards ceremony this week without Alexandra, whom he met while working as a hotel chef in Cyprus.
Friends were stunned by the news, believing the couple had an unshakeable marriage.
They had taken a romantic trip to Paris before Paul flew to Los Angeles to film the US show.
But fans were struck by the on-screen chemistry between the British chef and his American counterpart, who owns a Tequila company.
San Diego-born Marcela specialises in spicy dishes, reflecting her Mexican family background.