Paul Hollywood’s estranged wife Alex has revealed she ‘lost herself’ in their 20-year marriage.
The food writer, who married Great British Bake Off host Paul in 1998, said she became aware of the ‘sacrifices she had made’ in the relationship after their second split.
She told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘When you get married and have children, it’s easy to lose yourself. I’m not complaining because I was happy, but then someone else rips everything up and it wakes you up to who you are and what you have become and what sacrifices you’ve made.’
Candid: Paul Hollywood’s estranged wife Alex has revealed she ‘lost herself’ in their marriage as she opened up about her second split from the presenter
The pair initially split in 2013, after Paul, 53, had an affair with Marcela Valladolid, 40, his TV co-star on the US version of Bake Off.
Alex previously said she stayed with her husband for the sake of their son Josh, 17, and because she ‘believed she was doing the right thing’.
Speaking about her decision, the mother-of-one said: ‘I stand by that decision. I believed in my marriage, I wanted to make it work.’
Sacrifice: The food writer, who married Great British Bake Off host Paul in 1998, said she became aware of ‘what sacrifices she had made’ after their second split (Pictured in 2015)
She said: ‘When you get married and have children, it’s easy to lose yourself’
The food writer went on to admit that ‘divorce hurts’ but you have to ‘keep going’.
She said: ‘I’m not going to lie and say it hasn’t been difficult, but I’m not broken. Divorce hurts. I was married for 20 years. But you keep going’.
Alex also confessed she ‘didn’t have to make a decision’ about their divorce, she just knew ‘it was over’.
Since splitting with Alex, Paul has pursued a relationship with Summer Monteys-Fullam, 24.
The GBBO host reportedly met the barmaid when organising a birthday party for his then-wife at the Duke William pub in Ickham.
Affair: The pair initially split in 2013, after Paul, 53, had an affair with Marcela Valladolid, 40, his TV co-star on the US version of Bake Off
Family: Alex previously said she stayed with her husband for the sake of their son Josh, 17, and because she ‘believed she was doing the right thing’
Alex’s comments come after she was alleged to have had an ugly spat with Summer when the two bumped into each other at an M&S store in Canterbury, Kent in February.
The fracas is said to have resulted in the police being called, with one witness describing the language used as ‘disgusting’.
Summer’s mother Sabina defended her daughter and took the TV baker’s former wife to task over her alleged nasty behaviour in a video.
Her sister Saskia captioned the clip, which has since been viewed thousands of times, ‘the truth is finally out’. It cuts to Sabina, who speaks for five minutes outlining what she understands to be the truth of the matter.
Speaking about her decision, the mother-of-one said: ‘I stand by that decision. I believed in my marriage, I wanted to make it work’
She said the attack was categorically started by the baker’s ex, who she claimed had verbally abused her daughter as she shopped.
But according to the Mirror, a spokesman for Alex insisted: ‘Alex has kept a dignified position throughout the last 14 months, which have been extremely challenging, and continues to do so.
‘Alex was shocked to bump into Summer in her local supermarket, but even in that difficult situation she did not, and would not ever, verbally abuse anyone.’
Alex and Paul announced their split in 2017 following the revelation of the star baker’s second affair.
Split: Alex also confessed she ‘didn’t have to make a decision’ about their divorce, she just knew ‘it was over’ (Pictured, Paul and Marcela Valladolid)