Paul Hollywood, the celebrated judge from The Great British Bake Off, finds himself still unable to pilot his £400,000 helicopter after almost two years of training, despite having moved the aircraft from his Kent home following neighbour complaints.
The Helicopter Controversy and Training Delays
The 59-year-old television personality was recently photographed wearing a jacket from his helicopter flying school, seated in the cockpit of his Robinson R44 with an instructor beside him as they flew over Kent. This comes after neighbours reportedly expressed frustration about Hollywood landing the helicopter in his back garden, ultimately forcing him to relocate it to a nearby aerodrome in January.
According to industry insiders, most aspiring pilots require approximately 45 hours of training to qualify for their pilot's license. However, Hollywood has been engaged in flight lessons for 20 months, with one source commenting: 'Most people would've been signed off ages ago, but Paul's still got the stabilisers on.'
Bake Off Changes and Hollywood's Career
The helicopter training appears to be occupying Hollywood's downtime ahead of significant changes in the upcoming Bake Off series. While Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will return as hosts alongside Hollywood, Dame Prue Leith has announced her departure from the judging panel after seven years with the show.
Dame Prue, who took over from Dame Mary Berry in 2017 when the programme moved from BBC to Channel 4, stated she felt this was the 'right time' to leave, expressing a desire to spend more time in her garden during summers. She has judged over 400 challenges during her tenure.
Nigella Lawson's Arrival and Future Prospects
Nigella Lawson has been confirmed as Dame Prue's replacement, with the 66-year-old declaring she was 'honoured' to join the Bake Off family. Dame Prue offered her full blessing to Lawson, describing her as 'sassy, fun, and she knows her onions — and her croissants, cake, and crumble.'
Dame Mary Berry has predicted that Hollywood and Lawson will 'get on like a house on fire' and expressed excitement about the programme gaining a 'new flavour.'
Upcoming Television Appearances
Hollywood will next appear on screens when Celebrity Bake Off returns in spring, with renowned pastry chef Cherish Finden joining as a judge. The celebrity lineup includes Molly-Mae Hague, Sam Thompson, JoJo Siwa, Mark Wright, and Scott Mills.
Reflecting on his Bake Off experience, Hollywood has previously described the role as a 'real treat' and said he's had the 'time of my life' meeting incredible bakers. However, he did note one challenging aspect: 'When you're forced to eat 36 bites of something that's extremely sweet. Even though it sounds amazing. You're filling yourself, you feel bloated; it's not a very nice experience.'
Upon learning of Dame Prue's departure, Hollywood shared a heartfelt social media post, writing: 'You're the best Prue!' alongside a photograph of them together.
