His marriage to former wife Alexandra had come to an end after 20 years, with the couple confirming their split in mid-November.
And after keeping a low-profile in the weeks that followed, Paul Hollywood has now been seen in public for the first time since confirming their separation.
The Great British Bake Off star, 51, looked sheepish as he cut a solo figure while stepping out in London, where he stopped by The Riding House Cafe.
Going it alone: Paul Hollywood has now been seen in public for the first time since confirming his split from wife of 20 years Alexandra
Cutting a downcast figure, Paul covered up from the cold in a casually smart ensemble that saw him don a thick tailored navy coat and striped scarf around his neck. He paired his winter outerwear with a pair of jeans and blue suede shoes on his feet.
The star has found himself at the centre of attention of late, as his split has garnered a huge interest, given that his former affair with US Bake Off star Marcela Valladolid that led to him and Alexandra briefly splitting has resurfaced.
He also came under fire for appearing to kiss baking starlet Candice Brown in an ‘intimate’ goodbye after the Pride of Britain Awards, but it has since been described as an ‘innocent kiss on the cheek’ and claims of it being ‘intimate’ were branded ‘untrue’.
![All over: He and Alexandra had initially met in 1998 before going on to marry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/468BF42D00000578-0-image-m-38_1511658576774.jpg)
All over: He and Alexandra had initially met in 1998 before going on to marry
![Furore: The star found himself at the centre of attention of late, as his split has garnered a huge interest and came under fire for appearing to kiss baking starlet Candice Brown in an 'intimate' goodbye after the Pride of Britain Award, later deemed as an 'innocent kiss on the cheek'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DE930800000578-5135947-image-m-33_1512125690197.jpg)
Furore: The star found himself at the centre of attention of late, as his split has garnered a huge interest and came under fire for appearing to kiss baking starlet Candice Brown in an ‘intimate’ goodbye after the Pride of Britain Award, later deemed as an ‘innocent kiss on the cheek’
![More than friends? Since his marriage broke down months ago, Paul has reportedly formed a 'close friendship' with barmaid Summer, 30 years younger than him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/46B3711C00000578-0-image-a-43_1511658984742.jpg)
More than friends? Since his marriage broke down months ago, Paul has reportedly formed a ‘close friendship’ with barmaid Summer, 30 years younger than him
Strolling through the capital with his hands in his pocket, celebrity baker Paul, who is set to star in his very own series A Baker’s Life on Channel 4, seemed to keep his head down.
The show will see Paul revisit places he holds close to his heart, including where he had first met his former spouse Alexandra back in 1998, as he showcases his culinary talent. Keen to show a different side of him, Paul admits he ‘cries’ in the show that sees him reunite with friends from his younger years.
In an interview with BT he said: ‘I did cry a little bit. But you will never see that soft side of me. Crying is a very personal thing.’
![Solo: The Great British Bake Off star, 51, looked sheepish as he cut a solo figure while stepping out in London, where he stopped by The Riding House Cafe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD05D500000578-0-image-a-14_1512123201142.jpg)
![Heartbreak: He and Alexandra had confirmed their split in mid-November](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD0A3300000578-0-Heartbreak_He_and_Alexandra_had_confirmed_their_split_in_mid_Nov-m-13_1512123194203.jpg)
Solo: The Great British Bake Off star, 51, looked sheepish as he cut a solo figure while stepping out in London, where he stopped by The Riding House Cafe
![Low-key: Strolling through the capital with his hands in his pocket, celebrity baker Paul, who is set to star in his very own series A Baker's Life on Channel 4, seemed to keep his head down](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD054500000578-0-image-a-5_1512122867435.jpg)
Low-key: Strolling through the capital with his hands in his pocket, celebrity baker Paul, who is set to star in his very own series A Baker’s Life on Channel 4, seemed to keep his head down
![Back on the small screen: The show will see Paul revisit places he holds close to his heart, including where he had first met his former spouse Alexandra back in 1998, as he showcases his culinary talent](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD0A4F00000578-0-image-a-6_1512122873316.jpg)
Back on the small screen: The show will see Paul revisit places he holds close to his heart, including where he had first met his former spouse Alexandra back in 1998, as he showcases his culinary talent
![Softer side: Keen to show a different side of him, Paul admits he 'cries' in the show that sees him reunite with friends from his younger years.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD060F00000578-0-image-a-7_1512122901295.jpg)
Softer side: Keen to show a different side of him, Paul admits he ‘cries’ in the show that sees him reunite with friends from his younger years.
![Keeping the chill at bay: Paul covered up from the cold in a casually smart ensemble that saw him don a thick tailored navy coat and striped scarf around his neck](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD0AE300000578-0-Keeping_the_chill_at_bay_Paul_covered_up_from_the_cold_in_a_casu-m-15_1512123472427.jpg)
![Keeping the chill at bay: Paul covered up from the cold in a casually smart ensemble that saw him don a thick tailored navy coat and striped scarf around his neck](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/01/10/46DD06F600000578-0-Keeping_the_chill_at_bay_Paul_covered_up_from_the_cold_in_a_casu-m-17_1512123485532.jpg)
Keeping the chill at bay: Paul covered up from the cold in a casually smart ensemble that saw him don a thick tailored navy coat and striped scarf around his neck
He added to TV magazine: ‘I think ultimately people will get to know a little bit more about me through this.’
His first appearance since his split from Alexandra comes after reports surfaced claiming the judge had enjoyed a secret date with a barmaid 30 years younger than him at a swanky hotel.
Paul allegedly went for dinner and drinks with Summer Monteys-Fullham at The Dorchester after the breakdown of his marriage.
The pair met earlier this year at Paul’s local pub where he organised ex-wife Alexandra’s birthday party and the duo have struck up a close bond despite the 29-year age gap between them, sources claimed.
![Claims: His first appearance since his split from Alexandra comes after reports surfaced claiming the judge had enjoyed a secret date with a barmaid 30 years younger than him (above) at a swanky hotel](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/46B3850400000578-0-image-m-37_1511658535096.jpg)
Claims: His first appearance since his split from Alexandra comes after reports surfaced claiming the judge had enjoyed a secret date with a barmaid 30 years younger than him (above) at a swanky hotel
Paul and Alexandra, who have a 16-year-old son, announced they were splitting last week – but reportedly parted ways earlier this year.
And since their marriage broke down months ago, Paul has reportedly formed a ‘close friendship’ with Summer.
Summer is believed to work at the Duke William pub in the village of Ickham, Kent – which is Paul’s local haunt.
She is ‘very mature’ for her age so the gap with Paul isn’t a problem and she believes the pair could ‘become a couple’ in the future, sources claimed.
![Local haunt: The pair met earlier this year at Paul's local pub where he organised Alexandra's birthday party and have struck up a close bond despite the 29-year age gap, sources claimed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/46B3714000000578-0-image-m-41_1511658638670.jpg)
Local haunt: The pair met earlier this year at Paul’s local pub where he organised Alexandra’s birthday party and have struck up a close bond despite the 29-year age gap, sources claimed
![Meeting point: Pictured is the Duke William Public house in the village of Ickham in Kent where Hollywood supposedly met the barmaid](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/12/46B5159400000578-5117805-image-a-23_1511700539231.jpg)
Meeting point: Pictured is the Duke William Public house in the village of Ickham in Kent where Hollywood supposedly met the barmaid
‘Paul and Summer have struck up a close friendship — the age gap between them doesn’t seem to be a problem,’ an insider told The Sun.
‘She has told friends that she believes that they could, in the future, become a couple.’
The insider claimed that Paul, who moved into a £1.4million home near the pub with Alexandra, 53, this year, kept ‘popping in’ to see Summer after the birthday party.
‘After the party Paul kept popping into the pub. But he only seemed to come in when Summer was working,’ they said.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Paul for comment.
!['It is with sadness that we have decided to separate': Paul and Alexandra announced they were splitting last week - but reportedly parted ways earlier this year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/468BF18A00000578-0-_It_is_with_sadness_that_we_have_decided_to_separate_This_comes_-a-46_1511659024427.jpg)
‘It is with sadness that we have decided to separate’: Paul and Alexandra announced they were splitting last week – but reportedly parted ways earlier this year
![Close proximity: Summer is believed to work at the Duke William pub (pictured) in the village of Ickham, Kent - which is Paul's local haunt](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/46B3829400000578-0-image-m-49_1511659127081.jpg)
Close proximity: Summer is believed to work at the Duke William pub (pictured) in the village of Ickham, Kent – which is Paul’s local haunt
The couple were reportedly often seen catching up and having long conversations ‘in a corner’ of the pub.
Paul and Alex confirmed their heartbreaking split in a joint statement on Monday saying: ‘It is with sadness that we have decided to separate.
‘Our focus continues to be the happiness of our son, and we would ask the press and public to allow us privacy as a family during this very difficult time.’
The baking guru, who is now worth £10million, split from his wife, 53, temporarily in 2013 after admitting an affair with his US co-star Marcela Valladolid, 39.
![Alleged: She is 'very mature' for her age so the gap with Paul isn't a problem and she believes the pair could 'become a couple' in the future, sources claimed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/46B3712800000578-0-image-a-44_1511658993639.jpg)
Alleged: She is ‘very mature’ for her age so the gap with Paul isn’t a problem and she believes the pair could ‘become a couple’ in the future, sources claimed
![Hmm: The insider claimed that Paul, who moved into a £1.4million home near the pub with Alexandra this year, kept 'popping in' to see Summer after their first meeting](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/46AE5FCE00000578-0-image-m-45_1511658997096.jpg)
Hmm: The insider claimed that Paul, who moved into a £1.4million home near the pub with Alexandra this year, kept ‘popping in’ to see Summer after their first meeting
The couple reconciled a few months later and he described the incident as ‘the biggest mistake of my life’ in an interview with BBC radio.
Speaking at the time, he told the BBC he ‘was shocked about the whole thing kicking off the way it did… but I deserved it and I’ve taken it. It was my punishment’.
However a source told The Sun: ‘Paul was totally into Marcela and threw himself in with both feet.
‘When it all fell apart he went back to Alex with his tail between his legs, but in reality if Marcela had wanted to keep it going he was all for it.’
![Split: Paul and Alex, who is also a chef, married in 1998, and have a teenage son together called Joshua](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/21/19/468C073A00000578-0-Split_Paul_and_Alex_who_is_also_a_chef_married_in_1998_and_have_-a-61_1511291784314.jpg)
Split: Paul and Alex, who is also a chef, married in 1998, and have a teenage son together called Joshua
![It's over: The duo (above) had previously split briefly in 2013, following an affair he'd had](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/4697FC8600000578-0-It_s_over_Paul_and_Alex_confirmed_their_heartbreaking_split_in_a-a-51_1511659245286.jpg)
It’s over: The duo (above) had previously split briefly in 2013, following an affair he’d had
![Former fling: The baking guru, who is now worth £10million, admitted an affair with his US co-star Marcela Valladolid, 39](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/4692478100000578-0-Former_fling_The_baking_guru_who_is_now_worth_10million_split_fr-a-53_1511659305912.jpg)
Former fling: The baking guru, who is now worth £10million, admitted an affair with his US co-star Marcela Valladolid, 39
Paul and Alex, who is also a chef, married in 1998, and have a 16-year-old son together, Joshua.
It was claimed that Paul, who is worth an estimated £10m, could lose up to £5m of his fortune in the divorce.
It comes after Bake Of winner Candice Brown, who recently announced her engagement to Liam Macauley, was spotted with Paul as he cupped the back of her head and kissed her goodbye following a night out at the Pride of Britain Awards in London.
![Embrace: His split with Alexandra comes after Paul was spotted sharing a friendly kiss with Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/00/4696097800000578-5117701-image-a-17_1511655736742.jpg)
Embrace: His split with Alexandra comes after Paul was spotted sharing a friendly kiss with Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown
A spokesman for the pair said it was an ‘innocent kiss on the cheek’, and that it was ‘untrue’ to describe it as an ‘intimate kiss’.
The representative, who was also there on the night, told MailOnline: ‘Following The Mirror Pride of Britain Awards last Monday, seven of us including Paul and Candice were seated outside waiting for cars home.
‘The photograph was taken as Paul was saying goodbye to each of us.’
![Friendly display: A spokesman for the pair said it was an 'innocent kiss on the cheek', and that it was 'untrue' to describe it as an 'intimate kiss'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/26/01/468C080100000578-0-Friendly_display_Recently_series_seven_winner_Candice_who_recent-a-52_1511659265492.jpg)
Friendly display: A spokesman for the pair said it was an ‘innocent kiss on the cheek’, and that it was ‘untrue’ to describe it as an ‘intimate kiss’