Meet Paul Hollywood's wife: Inside the Bake Off star's marriage and love story

It's always a fun time watching Paul Hollywood on Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off, whether he's judging the main show or watching celebrities try their hand inside the world-famous tent.

While the 59-year-old is best known for handing out the famous 'Hollywood handshake' on the beloved baking programme, how much do you know about his wife, Melissa Spalding? Here's all we know about the star's relationship and his ex-wife, Alexandra.

Melissa Spalding

Paul Hollywood is married to 42-year-old Melissa Spalding. The duo said "I do" in a gorgeous ceremony in Cyprus back in 2023. The smitten couple celebrated their love for one another by exchanging vows in the Ayia Athanasia chapel, which is situated on the grounds of Anassa Hotel, a luxury hotel. 

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Paul and Melissa later enjoyed a reception and party in the hotel grounds, with over 75 of their closest family and friends in attendance.

First meeting

The pair are thought to have met at Melissa's pub, which is close to Paul's home. According to The Mail on Sunday, Melissa moved into his 18th century farmhouse during lockdown after the owners of her pub, where she was previously living, put it up for sale.

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

© Sam Simpson/Dave Benett/Getty Im

The talent show judge has been referred to as a heartthrob in the past, but has laughed off taking such comments too seriously. In an interview with Platinum magazine in 2022, he said: "I mean, ultimately, it's very flattering and I've had a few marriage proposals, which is odd, but you don't take that sort of stuff to heart because it's just a bit of fun.

"You could put anybody in my position, and they'd get the same attention," he claimed.

Ex-wife Alex

Paul was previously married to Alex Hollywood, a cook and family food writer. The former couple are believed to have met in Cyprus in 1997 and tied the knot two years later.

The pair first split in 2013 after Paul reportedly had an affair with his American Baking Competition co-star, Marcela Valladolid. The couple reconciled soon after, but in 2017, Paul and Alex separated. Despite their divorce, Alex has still kept the name Hollywood. See her emotional reasons for doing this in the video below.

Following their second split, Alex accused the celebrity baker of multiple infidelities during their 20-year marriage.

Speaking in a Platinum magazine interview, Paul revealed the time after his split with Alex was very difficult for him. He said: "I was in a really dark place. I didn't want to carry on at one point. Most of what was being said was a lie or a twisted truth.

© Ray Tang/Shutterstock

"The truth was very different to what the tabloids were writing," Paul continued. "The press intrusion can be such a horrible thing to deal with, and it isn't fair, because there's no right to reply."

He added: "I've withdrawn a lot in the last six years and I'm happiest at home, just putting on my slippers and dressing gown in front of the telly. I don't go out that much and being in large groups of people makes me nervous."

Children

The Great British Bake Off judge has one child, a son named Josh, whom he shares with his ex-wife Alex.

In 2019, a representative of Alex told The Mail on Sunday that Paul had not seen his son in two years since his parents split in 2017. "Paul hasn't seen his son since November 2017 and the split has been deeply distressing to him," the paper was told.