‘It's My Turn To Shine'

Alex Hollywood, ex-wife of Bake Off’s Paul, is stepping into the spotlight and leaving the drama firmly in her past

Alex Hollywood is emerging from the shadow of her soon-to-be ex-husband, Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood. While their divorce is being thrashed out in the courts, Alex, 55, is obviously a little reluctant to discuss Paul.

But she is eager to discuss her new lease of life – firing up her own career as a cook with appearances at food festivals and on TV. Today Alex seems confident and warm, with just a hint of steeliness.

‘Any break-up of a marriage is pretty tough – I don’t want to diminish it in any way, shape or form – but that’s happened and it’s all gone,’ Alex tells Woman's Own.

‘Now I’m getting on with my life – and life is good!’

FINDING HERSELF

During her marriage, Alex was happy to remain in the background and allow Paul to shine. But she was thrust into the public spotlight following Paul’s indiscretions – first with his American Baking Competition co-star Marcela Valladolid, 41, in 2013, and then with barmaid Summer Monteys-Fullam, 24.

It forced Alex to develop a thick skin. ‘I have more confidence than I used to, probably through being in the public eye since 2013,’ says Alex wryly. ‘It’s like being chucked into a tub of cold water and it takes your breath away at first. But then it’s sink or swim. And I’m swimming.’