Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood: His wife, children, real name, age and other facts

19 March 2025, 09:18

Along with soggy bottoms and the famous tent, Paul Hollywood has been the one steady presence in The Great British Bake Off since it started in 2010.

Is there a more impressive feat on TV than getting the 'Paul Hollywood handshake' after a successful bake?

Here are all the big facts about the Bake Off star and celebrity chef:

1. Who is Paul Hollywood?

   Paul Hollywood is an English celebrity chef, best known for being a judge on The Great British Bake Off.

   He started his career at his father's bakery as a teenager and went on to be the head baker at several hotels in the UK and internationally.

   After returning from working in Cyprus, he began appearing on a number of British TV shows on both BBC and ITV.

   

2. Paul Hollywood age: How old is he?

   Paul Hollywood was born on March 1, 1966. He celebrated his 59th birthday in 2025.

   He was born in Wallasey, on the Wirral, in Cheshire. He is the son of bakery proprietor, John F Hollywood and Gillian M Harman.

3. Who is Paul Hollywood's wife?

   

   Paul Hollywood married Melissa Spalding in September 2023 in Cyprus.

   Hollywood met the landlady at her pub following his split from Summer Monteys-Fullam in 2019.

   Melissa moved in with the chef during lockdown. It was two years after when Hollywood reportedly proposed.

4. Is Paul Hollywood his real name?

   It might sound like an obvious showbusiness name, but that is indeed his real name.

   In fact, his full name is Paul John Hollywood.

5. Who is Paul Hollywood's ex-wife?

   

   Paul Hollywood met his ex-wife Alexandra in Cyprus, where he was a head baker at a five star hotel and she was a scuba diving instructor.

   They later married on the island in 1998, but they separated in November 2017. They have one child together, a 22-year-old son named Josh.