Paul Hollywood says he had to grow ‘thick skin’ and calls being famous ‘horrendous’
Paul Hollywood has said he’s not a fan of the fame that came with working on Great British Bake Off but admits he hopes the show will stick around for many more years
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The Great Celebrity Bake Off: Paul helps Matt with his dough
Paul Hollywood has opened up on his life in the spotlight, saying being famous is “horrendous”.
The Great British Bake Off judge, 56, was thrust into the public eye over a decade ago when he joined the amateur baking show in 2010.
And when asked whether he felt fame had been a positive experience, he honestly said “no, it’s horrendous”.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Paul said: “I’ve always fought against the word ‘celebrity’, anyway. Right up to the age of 40, there was no way I thought I was ever going to be on telly.”
He described how GBBO was never part of his plan but he had to adapt his life because of it.
He continued: “There’s no school to go to learn how to deal with the press, or your day-to-day life, and how to block it off without going crazy and getting upset. You can’t.”
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on GBBO
Image:
( Channel 4)
And he confessed that he now has skin like a crocodile after learning he had to grow very thick skin in the industry.
The popular cooking contest originally launched on BBC Two and remained on the channel for four series.
As its popularity grew, the BBC moved gaining popularity, it moved to BBC One for the following three series.
The programme then transferred to Channel 4 in 2017 and, despite the departure of fellow original judge Mary Berry, Paul continued his role on the show.
He was joined by chef and restaurateur Prue Leith who replaced Mary as a judge.
Despite the difficulties he has encountered after gaining notoriety because of the show, Paul insists he remains positive about its future, and has no doubt it will continue to be popular.
He labelled the judges as “the frame” of the show and the bakers “the picture”.
Paul admits he’s not a fan of fame
Image:
( Channel 4)
“People like to hear what we have to say about them, but it’s always the bakers and their bakes that take centre-stage,” he added.
He also admitted he hopes it will continue to grace the small screen for many years to come, even after he hangs up his star baker apron.
He confessed that while he’s took part in hundreds of challenges in the last 13 years, the series is far from nearing its sell-by date.
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