Paul Hollywood reveals 'huge panic' after brother was hospitalised with COVID-19

Paul Hollywood says he felt "huge panic" when he learned that his brother had been admitted to hospital as a result of COVID-19.

The Great British Bake Off star said his younger brother Lee was "struggling breathing" after experiencing a bad bout of the virus.

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Speaking on an episode of his podcast Hollywood and Byrne, reported by The Mirror, Hollywood revealed that the experience was a tough one for the family.

He said: “I was panicking. ‘My brother is in hospital, is he alright?’ I couldn’t get hold of him.

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"The wi-fi in hospital wasn’t working so he couldn’t contact us. I was texting him. My other brother, Jason set up this WhatsApp group.

"We were bombarding him. ‘Where are you? What’s happening? Are you in ICU?’

"And it was a huge panic for me. I don’t want to lose my brother.”

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Hollywood's brother, whose bakery on the Wirral went into administration last year, has since recovered from COVID-19.

Paul Hollywood was able to take part in a new series of The Great British Bake Off last year despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with contestants living within a special bubble to enable filming.

The 11th series of the show, which concluded in November, was won by 20-year-old Peter Sawkins — the youngest winner in the history of the Bake Off.

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His new podcast sees him join forces with motorbike racer Shane Byrne and will feature interviews with the pair's famous friends.

The show will also raise money for organisations including Kent homelessness charity Porchlight, Evelina Children's Hospital in London and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Watch: Peter unveiled as Great British Bake Off winner