Mary Berrymight be the nation’s sweetheart - the epitome of sugar, spice and all things nice - but today, the TV favourite has proved that she is the ultimate boss, who you most definitely don't want to mess with. Paul Hollywood, we’re looking at you... It’s been reported by The Sunthat the Great British Bake Off queen's fued with Hollywood has reached boiling point - so much so that Hollywood has been kicked off the BBC’s Good Food Show - which is happening at the NEC in June - and been replaced by his estranged wife Alex, who Mary is friends with.
In amazing quotes, which show that Mary is definitely a defender of girl code, a source told the newspaper: “Mary has made it clear were her loyalties lie - and it’s not with Paul. She’s still upset with how he behaved with Alex and is not even making an attempt to get to know Summer. And to avoid any awkwardness with Paul, she’s more than happy to work with Alex and help boost her profile as a budding celebrity cook.” Sticking by your friend in a split is admirable - but helping your friend with a job, which her ex-husband previously had, is just another level of genius.
However, Paul’s representative has since told the Express that he's simply too busy to attend. A representative told the publication: “Paul has a great relationship with Good Food Show. Unfortunately, he is not available for the June show. We are currently discussing dates for later in the year.” BBC Good Food Show have also confirmed the TV chef is unavailable for the June dates.
Today's news follows previous reports that the former judges weren't getting along. Tensions were allegedly high when the pair made a joint appearance at the last Good Food Show where Berry refused to pose for pictures with Hollywood and his new girlfriend, 23-year-old Summer Monteys-Fullam.
ICYMI, Hollywood split from his wife of twenty years in November 2017 after he was spotted kissing the winner of the seventh season ofBake Off,Candice Brown. Prior to this, in 2013, Hollywood had an affair with American chef Marcela Valladolid which he called "the biggest mistake of my life" before reuniting with his wife after a short split.
“Mary was close to Paul’s wife and has been disgusted by his treatment of her so it has soured their relationship,” a source told The Sun__ following the Good Food Show debacle. After refusing to stand with Hollywood for photos, Berry also chose not to join Hollywood on stage when she was asked to, the source confirmed.
“Mary is a class act so was polite but she gave Summer an icy stare and refused to speak to her,” the source added.“The girlfriend said something and then gave Mary a really dirty look.”
It’s thought that the chef’s divorce fueled the pair’s already strained relationship following Hollywood’s decision to stay presenting GBBO after it moved to Channel 4. Berry along with the show’s presenters, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, all quit the show in 2016 when it left the BBC.