Bake Off Star Fined

Paul Hollywood has been given penalty points and a fine after admitting a speeding offence connected to a journey he said involved his ill cat.

The Great British Bake Off judge was stopped by Surrey Police on January 9 while behind the wheel of his Land Rover Defender. His car was measured at 96mph on the M25, while court papers said officers believed it later topped 105mph on the M26.

The matter was handled at Worthing Magistrates’ Court last week. Hollywood accepted the speeding charge and was ordered to pay £293, with £120 costs and a £117 victim surcharge. Five points were also added to his driving licence.

Police had initially pursued a second accusation, driving without due care and attention. That part of the case was dropped after representations from his lawyers at Hickman and Rose. Hollywood had pleaded not guilty to that allegation.

Peter Csemiczky, a partner at Hickman and Rose, said Hollywood accepted that he had been driving too fast while trying to get his unwell cat to the vet. He added that the TV judge understood this did not excuse his actions, had apologised, and accepted that he would be punished.

According to the court file, Officer Alexander McAlpine followed the TV baker in an unmarked police vehicle. The officer alleged Hollywood drove extremely close to cars ahead in the outside lane, then accelerated after they moved away.

The journey was filmed on dash camera before police stopped him. Hollywood reportedly told officers the urgency was linked to seeking treatment for his cat.

The conviction brings an off-screen controversy for one of Britain’s most familiar food television figures. Hollywood rose to fame on The Great British Bake Off, created by Anna Beattie and Richard McKerrow, and has long been associated with names including Mary Berry, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond.

Court documents said Hollywood had a clean licence before the incident. He admitted the offence in writing and was dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure, meaning he did not appear in court.