Bake Off star Paul Hollywood breaks silence over 24-year-old girlfriend split

5 August 2019, 15:52 | Updated: 6 August 2019, 10:03

Paul Hollywood
Paul Hollywood. Picture: Getty

By Tom Eames

Paul Hollywood has spoken for the first time about his recent breakup with girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam, following rumours about their split over the last few days.

Over the weekend, it was claimed that the couple had separated, after he supposedly asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement, meaning she would not be allowed to reveal anything about him or their relationship in public.

Read more: Who is Paul Hollywood?

The Great British Bake Off judge has now given his side of the story on his official Instagram, saying that his decision not to speak out previously was not due to “weakness” or an “agreement [with] what’s been said” in the media.

“Thank you for your messages I’ve been receiving it means a lot,” he wrote. “My silence on any matters is not a sign of weakness or agreement of what’s been said, merely I prefer a quiet life away from my day job! Take what’s read with a pinch of salt and read between the lines."

Referring to his ex, Paul added: “I know the public can’t be duped into believing what’s out there from a person making money selling stories! and continuously courting the paps...

"There’s always two sides to a story you’ve only heard one.. but alas I don’t play those games... thanks again.”

Paul’s lawyer previously told PA: “I asked Summer to sign an NDA as is standard practice in order to protect Paul’s family and their private lives. Summer insisted that she had no intention of selling any stories to the press and declined.

“I think that her refusal to discuss or sign it caused concern, understandably, so it’s not entirely surprising that they have gone their separate ways.”

Last month, Paul divorced his former wife Alexandra Hollywood, who he split from two years ago.

Paul met Summer when she was a 22-year-old barmaid at his local pub. The pair first met in early 2017, when Paul arranged a birthday party for then-wife Alex at the bar where Summer worked.

Paul will return for the 10th series of Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 later this month.