Paul Hollywood, the beloved Great British Bake Off judge, recently shared a memorable moment from his MBE ceremony involving Princess Anne. The star baker revealed that the royal’s first question to him was a surprising seven-word inquiry: “Where did you get that sickening tan?”
Beginning his career in his father’s bakery in York, Paul’s passion for baking took him from Merseyside to some of the UK’s most prestigious hotels, including London’s Dorchester. Over time, he became a household name through his broadcasting career, especially as a judge on Great British Bake Off since its 2010 debut.
Last year, Paul was honoured with an MBE for his contributions to baking and television, receiving the award at Windsor Castle from Princess Anne herself. Reflecting on his encounter with the princess in a recent Woman’s Weekly interview, he described her as “charming and fascinating,” despite the unexpected start to their conversation.
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Beyond the ceremony, Paul expressed pride in his journey: “The TV is the icing on the cake. My career was what I was proud of, because a lad from the north-west ended up going all over the world, doing a job that I didn’t think could take me to those places.” He added, “To end up standing in front of royalty was amazing.”
Fans can also look forward to the next series of the Great British Bake Off, which Paul confirmed will begin filming “soonish.” This update follows the recent celebrity edition, where notable contestants like Amelia Dimoldenberg, Roman Kemp, and Gloria Hunniford competed, with Kate Garraway ultimately taking the win.