Paul Hollywood is one of the most famous and respected chefs in the UK, known for his expertise in baking and his role as a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
What do we know about his personal life? Is he gay? Is he married? What are his views on LGBTQ+ issues? This post explores everything you need to know about Paul Hollywood.
Who is Paul Hollywood?
Paul Hollywood was born on March 1, 1966, in Wallasey, Cheshire, England. He is the son of a bakery owner and a photographer, and he developed a passion for baking from a young age.
He attended The Mosslands School and the Wallasey School of Art, where he studied sculpture. He then started working as a baker in his father’s bakery and various hotels across the UK and abroad.
Hollywood began his television career in 2002 when he appeared as a guest on several shows, such as The Generation Game, The Heaven and Earth Show, and This Morning.
He then became a regular presenter on The Paul Hollywood Story, a series showcasing his baking skills and travels worldwide. He also wrote several books on baking, such as 100 Great Breads, How to Bake, and Paul Hollywood’s Bread.
Hollywood rose to fame in 2010 when he became a judge on The Great British Bake Off alongside Mary Berry. The show became a huge hit, which attracted millions of viewers and won several awards.
Hollywood became known for his honest and constructive criticism, signature handshake, and blue eyes. He also appeared in spin-off shows, such as The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, and Junior Bake Off.
Hollywood has also ventured into other genres and projects, such as Paul Hollywood’s Pies and Puds, Paul Hollywood: City Bakes, Paul Hollywood’s Big Continental Road Trip, and Paul Goes to Hollywood.
He also made his acting debut in 2019 when he played himself in the Netflix comedy series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Paul Hollywood Profile:
Here are some basic facts about Paul Hollywood:
| Full Name | Paul John Hollywood |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1966 |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 5’7″ |
| Profession | Chef and TV Presenter |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Nationality | British |
| Is Gay? | No |
Is Paul Hollywood Gay?
Paul Hollywood is not gay. He has never publicly identified as anything other than straight, and he has been involved with several women over the years.
However, that does not mean that he has not faced rumors and speculation about his sexuality, especially after he played the role of a gay personality in the Apple TV+ series The Crowded Room.
In the series, which is based on a true story, Hollywood plays Billy Milligan, a man with dissociative identity disorder who was accused of rape and robbery in the 1970s.
In one episode, Hollywood’s character has sex with another man in a nightclub bathroom, and in another, he performs oral sex on a different man while high on drugs.
These scenes sparked a lot of controversy and backlash online, with some homophobic fans expressing their disgust and disappointment and even using the hashtag #NotMyBakeOff to voice their opinions.
However, Hollywood’s fans also came to his defense, shutting down the hateful comments and praising his acting skills and courage.
They also pointed out that Hollywood is not the first Bake Off star to play a gay character, as former host Sue Perkins has done so in several shows, such as Heading Out and The Great British Sex Survey.
They also reminded people that Hollywood is an actor, and playing a gay character does not mean that he is gay in real life. Hollywood has not addressed the controversy directly but has previously expressed his support and respect for the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, he said, “I have no problem with gay people. I have a lot of gay friends. I think people should be allowed to love who they want to love. It’s not for me to judge.
I think it’s great that we live in a society where people can be who they are.
What is Paul Hollywood’s perspective on LGBTQ+ issues?
Paul Hollywood has not been very vocal about his stance on LGBTQ+ issues, but he has shown his support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in various ways, such as:
- Wearing rainbow-colored clothing and accessories on several occasions, such as a rainbow pin at the 2019 Oscars, a rainbow shirt at the 2019 ACE Comic Con, and a rainbow bracelet at the 2019 GQ Men of the Year Awards.
- Speaking positively about LGBTQ+ representation in the media, he would love to see more diversity and inclusion in the baking industry and television.
- Praising his co-star Prue Leith, who plays his fellow judge on The Great British Bake Off, for being a role model for young girls and LGBTQ+ people.
- Donating a signed Bake Off apron to the Stonewall charity campaigns for gay, lesbian, bi, and trans equality across Britain.
- Participating in a video campaign for The Trevor Project, which provides suicide prevention services and crisis intervention to LGBTQ+ youth, he encouraged LGBTQ+ youth to seek help and support if they are struggling.
Is Paul Hollywood Married With Kids?
Paul Hollywood is not married, but he was previously married to Alexandra Hollywood, a food writer and TV presenter. The couple met in 1996 while working at the same hotel in Cyprus.
Hollywood was the head baker, and Alexandra was a scuba diving instructor. They married in 1998 and had a son named Josh in 2001.
However, their marriage was not without troubles, as Hollywood admitted to having an affair with his co-star Marcela Valladolid, whom he met on the US version of The Great British Bake Off in 2013.
The couple briefly separated but reconciled later that year. However, they announced their final split in 2017 and divorced in 2019.
Since then, Hollywood has dated several women, such as Summer Monteys-Fullam, a barmaid who worked at his local pub, and Melissa Spalding, the landlady of another pub.
He is currently in a relationship with Spalding, and they live together in his £1 million home in Kent.
Conclusion
Paul Hollywood is a talented and successful chef who has won the hearts of many fans with his baking skills and role on The Great British Bake Off.
He is also a straight ally to the LGBTQ+ community, showing his support and openness to diversity and inclusion. He is not gay, but he has played a gay character in The Crowded Room, which sparked some controversy and backlash from homophobic fans.
He is also in a happy relationship with Melissa Spalding, his girlfriend and partner, who he has been dating since 2019. If you liked this post, please share it with your friends.