Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood says 'I can disappear' as he hints at quitting UK
Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has opened up on his love for Cyprus, where he wed wife Melissa, and hinted he may retire to the Mediterranean island
Paul Hollywood
(Image: Mark Bourdillion, Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images )
Paul Hollywood, famed for his role on the Great British Bake Off, has expressed his fondness for Cyprus, deeming it his "second home" and possibly the location of his future retirement.
In a heartfelt dialogue with Woman's Weekly, the celebrity chef reflected on his recent soothing sojourn to Cyprus with his wife Melissa, having returned just before the interview.
Cyprus resonates deeply with Hollywood, having first become enchanted with the country in the 1990s while he was the head baker at a local hotel.
His connection to the Mediterranean island deepened in 1996 when he encountered his first spouse, Alex, and they were married there two years subsequently.
After his previous marriage came to an end in 2019, Hollywood found solace in Cyprus once again, saying "I do" with Melissa Spalding, 41, reinforcing the significant presence Cyprus has had throughout his life, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Great British Bake Off
(Image: PA )
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"I consider it my second home," confided Paul to the publication. "I might retire there - it will be somewhere that no one will ever find me because I know places in the mountains that no one knows. I can disappear in Cyprus really easily!".
The revered Bake Off judge, notorious for his piercing gaze and candid feedback, unveiled a more contemplative side as he mused over the peace and seclusion he revels in whilst amidst the tranquil Cypriot hideaways, well away from the limelight.
The Merseyside-born baker is well-versed in globetrotting due to his career, which has taken him to various international destinations including Japan, where he explored the local cuisine, and Mexico.
He's also been featured on The Great American Baking Show, an offshoot of the popular Bake Off series.
However, it was his journey to the Maldives that stood out as particularly memorable for Paul, providing him with both relaxation and the opportunity to engage in his hobby of diving.
Paul Hollywood
(Image: CHANNEL 4 )
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On Alan Carr's Life's a Beach podcast, he recounted: "Maldives was one of those places that, it was a dream destination for me, and I managed to get there a couple of years ago and I just fell in love with it. I was on a beautiful island called Vakkaru and it was just a stunning island.
"The sea, I'm a scuba diver so I did a bit of scuba diving while I was there, and it was just stunning. The fish, the sharks, the rays, and the food.
"Everyone got bicycles, each villa got bicycles to get around the island on, it wasn't very big, you could literally get around it in a minute, but I loved it. I fell in love with the place."
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