Paul Hollywood 'engaged' to pub landlady girlfriend

The Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood is reportedly engaged to his girlfriend of three years, Melissa Spalding. The couple met after Paul split from his ex-wife of 19 years in 2019.

Sources have said: "Paul proposed some months ago, but they have been keeping it very quiet since then. It's only in the past month that she has begun wearing her engagement ring out in public, and sharing their news with friends. There are no wedding plans in place yet."

According to insiders who told The Sun, Paul, 56, proposed to Melissa at Easter but she has only just started wearing her engagement ring publicly. Melissa, 38, was previously set to marry professional golfer Jason Barnes.

Read more: Who left Bake Off? Full list of 2022 contestants and those voted out

Paul and Melissa started dating after his relationship ended with Summer Monteys-Fullam in 2019. The former couple had been living together in Kent. You can read more about their split here.

From left to right: Back row shows Noel, Matt and front row is judges Paul and Prue (Channel 4/Love Productions)

According to friends, Paul and Melissa's relationship grew during the pandemic. The Daily Mail reports how one friend said: "Paul and Melissa spent a lot of time together in lockdown. They bubbled up together and stayed at his house. Now she is there for good. They are delightfully happy, though it must be a bit strange given it was bought for Summer." They confirmed their relationship in December 2019 after previously denying they had sparked up a romance.

Paul and Prue Leith are preparing to crown a winner on the Channel 4 baking show this week. Catch The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday, November 15 at 8pm on Channel 4. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

• Strictly's Tony Adams apologises for missing dance-off as he breaks silence on quitting show

• Strictly Come Dancing stars Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen announce engagement

• I'm A Celebrity fans hit out at 'Matt Hancock Show' as MP voted for sixth trial in a row

• Dua Lipa dismisses reports she will perform at Qatar World Cup 2022

• BBC Strictly viewers sob at 'beautiful' opening dance in tribute to the Queen