Paul Hollywood Made Over Nine Times More Than His Bake Off Co-Stars Last Year

Daniel Welsh

Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood is well and truly raking in the dough (ahem) compared to his co-stars, new figures have revealed.

According to Companies House – and first reported in The Sun – Paul raked in £9.1 million in the last 12 months, which is reportedly nine times more than his fellow Bake Off stars Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.

Paul’s company HJP Media LLP was valued at £7.3 million last year, while his additional firm Paul Hollywood Limited pulled in a profit of £1.8 million.

Paul Hollywood (Photo: Graham Stone/Shutterstock)
Paul Hollywood (Photo: Graham Stone/Shutterstock)

This is markedly more than Bake Off presenter Noel Fielding, who The Sun has named as the next highest earner on the team, apparently making £813,000 from his two companies, Fantasy Man and Secret Peter Ltd.

Sandi’s company Michaelmas Productions Ltd made £177,000, while Prue’s current only active company Prue Ltd is yet to file any accounts.

The Sun claims that Paul Hollywood earns £400,000 a year for his involvement in Bake Off on Channel 4, a considerable pay rise from his time at the BBC, which had a far lower budget as the show was then considered part of the corporation’s “factual” programming.

HuffPost UK has contacted Channel 4 and Bake Off production company Love Productions for further comment.

Baking trays added to UK inflation basket - and it might be thanks to The Great British Bake Off (Photo: The Independent)
Baking trays added to UK inflation basket - and it might be thanks to The Great British Bake Off (Photo: The Independent)

Bake Off returned for its landmark 10th series – and third on Channel 4 – earlier this week, with the launch episode featuring the usual mix of snigger-worthy innuendos, culinary disasters and loveable new amateur bakers to get to know.

Paul has also repeatedly been in the headlines lately for his personal life, after splitting from his girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam, in what appears to have been a less-than-amicable break-up.

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#BinGate

The moment none of us could have anticipated would be one of the top entertainment stories of 2014, Iain Watters made headlines when his ruined Baked Alaska wound up in the bin, which he then frustratedly presented to the judges as his finished product.
The moment none of us could have anticipated would be one of the top entertainment stories of 2014, Iain Watters made headlines when his ruined Baked Alaska wound up in the bin, which he then frustratedly presented to the judges as his finished product.

Diana gets bombarded with hate

The ramifications of #BinGate were, as previously mentioned, unprecentedly massive. Mainly for Iain's fellow contestant, Diana Beard, who found herself on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse, when she was accused of sabotaging Iain's Baked Alaska.<br /><br />Paul Hollywood and Sue Perkins both piped up to defend Diana, while a statement from the BBC insisted: "Diana removing Iain's ice cream from the freezer for less than a minute was in no way responsible for Iain’s departure."
The ramifications of #BinGate were, as previously mentioned, unprecentedly massive. Mainly for Iain's fellow contestant, Diana Beard, who found herself on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse, when she was accused of sabotaging Iain's Baked Alaska.

Paul Hollywood and Sue Perkins both piped up to defend Diana, while a statement from the BBC insisted: "Diana removing Iain's ice cream from the freezer for less than a minute was in no way responsible for Iain’s departure."

Paul Hollywood makes the jump to Channel 4

Remember when Bake Off was first announced to have made the jump to Channel 4? Does anyone feel in hindsight the ensuing manic press coverage might have been an overreaction?<br /><br />Anyway, while Mary Berry decided not to jump ship, as did presenters Mel and Sue, out of "loyalty" to the BBC, Paul stuck with the show when it moved to its new home, and people were <i>not </i>happy, with many accusing him of "following the dough" and betraying the BBC.<br /><br />Again, in hindsight... slight overreaction, no?
Remember when Bake Off was first announced to have made the jump to Channel 4? Does anyone feel in hindsight the ensuing manic press coverage might have been an overreaction?

Anyway, while Mary Berry decided not to jump ship, as did presenters Mel and Sue, out of "loyalty" to the BBC, Paul stuck with the show when it moved to its new home, and people were not happy, with many accusing him of "following the dough" and betraying the BBC.

Again, in hindsight... slight overreaction, no?

Behind-the-scenes tension

Shortly after the new-look Channel 4 team was announced, the press was full of reports that they weren't getting along, particularly in comparison to their predecessors, with rumours suggesting Noel and Paul were finding it particularly difficult to locate common ground.<br /><br />A Channel 4 spokesperson insisted, via a fairly clumsy pun: "[The team] get on brilliantly and together have all the ingredients for a show-stopping series."
Shortly after the new-look Channel 4 team was announced, the press was full of reports that they weren't getting along, particularly in comparison to their predecessors, with rumours suggesting Noel and Paul were finding it particularly difficult to locate common ground.

A Channel 4 spokesperson insisted, via a fairly clumsy pun: "[The team] get on brilliantly and together have all the ingredients for a show-stopping series."

Gay sex joke lands Paul and Noel in hot water

When Paul and Noel tried to hit back at rumours they weren't getting on themselves, they quickly landed themselves in hot water after tweeting this picture. <br /><br />"This should put to rest any rumours that me and blue eyes don't get on," Noel tweeted. <br /><br />This was met negatively by some fans on Twitter, who claimed the picture was offensive and demeaned gay sex for a joke. 
When Paul and Noel tried to hit back at rumours they weren't getting on themselves, they quickly landed themselves in hot water after tweeting this picture. 

"This should put to rest any rumours that me and blue eyes don't get on," Noel tweeted. 

This was met negatively by some fans on Twitter, who claimed the picture was offensive and demeaned gay sex for a joke. 

Ruby gets accused of playing up to the judges

Ruby Tandoh found herself in the midst of some really unfair criticism back in 2013, when she was accused of crying to win the judges' sympathy, and even flirting with Paul Hollywood.<br /><br />She later blasted these claims when she came out two years after, insisting that her detractors were "giant shitting misogynists", which we must admit is hard to argue with.
Ruby Tandoh found herself in the midst of some really unfair criticism back in 2013, when she was accused of crying to win the judges' sympathy, and even flirting with Paul Hollywood.

She later blasted these claims when she came out two years after, insisting that her detractors were "giant shitting misogynists", which we must admit is hard to argue with.

No but seriously, who thought this icing was a good idea?

Before the 2016 series had even begun, viewers took to Twitter to voice their disdain when the male and female contestants were given blue or pink icing to pose with, depending on their gender, insisting this perpetrated antiquated stereotypes and even added to larger problems of sexism.
Before the 2016 series had even begun, viewers took to Twitter to voice their disdain when the male and female contestants were given blue or pink icing to pose with, depending on their gender, insisting this perpetrated antiquated stereotypes and even added to larger problems of sexism.

Flora's Aga

Flora Shedden managed to get on the wrong side of viewers back in 2015, when she complained that the show's ovens were tricky for her to use as she had an Aga at home.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/19/great-british-bake-off-flora-aga-cooker_n_8008216.html?utm_hp_ref=great-british-bake-off">Addressing the criticism she faced</a> after some viewers accused her of being “too posh” for the show, she later said: 'Where I live the majority of people have Agas as a means of heating, not just cooking.“They are a very sensible option during Scottish winters. As we have no heating in the house, it’s a lifesaver. <br /><br />"Ours is 50 years old and was salvaged from a house fire. I did find it baffling that it made headlines."
Flora Shedden managed to get on the wrong side of viewers back in 2015, when she complained that the show's ovens were tricky for her to use as she had an Aga at home.

Addressing the criticism she faced after some viewers accused her of being “too posh” for the show, she later said: 'Where I live the majority of people have Agas as a means of heating, not just cooking.“They are a very sensible option during Scottish winters. As we have no heating in the house, it’s a lifesaver.

"Ours is 50 years old and was salvaged from a house fire. I did find it baffling that it made headlines."

Noel's game of Hide & Seek attracts Ofcom complaints

<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/noel-fielding-great-british-bake-off-fridge_uk_59f1a3aae4b07d838d323b67?utm_hp_ref=uk-noel-fielding">Noel Fielding attracted over 50 Ofcom complaints</a> in 2018, when during a skit with co-host Sandi Toksvig, he hid in a fridge. <br /><br />Plenty of people voiced their disdain, suggesting Noel was setting a potentially dangerous example by encouraging young viewers to imitate him. <br /><br />However, the TV watchdog later ruled the programme had not breached broadcasting guidelines, saying in a statement: “We found that the scene was very brief and occurred later in the programme, when younger children were least likely to be watching.”<br /><br />Ofcom also pointed out that since the 1960s, fridges are fitted with a device meaning they can be opened from the inside, should someone climb into one as Noel did.
Noel Fielding attracted over 50 Ofcom complaints in 2018, when during a skit with co-host Sandi Toksvig, he hid in a fridge. 

Plenty of people voiced their disdain, suggesting Noel was setting a potentially dangerous example by encouraging young viewers to imitate him. 

However, the TV watchdog later ruled the programme had not breached broadcasting guidelines, saying in a statement: “We found that the scene was very brief and occurred later in the programme, when younger children were least likely to be watching.”

Ofcom also pointed out that since the 1960s, fridges are fitted with a device meaning they can be opened from the inside, should someone climb into one as Noel did.

Nadiya faces the wrath of The Sun

Nadiya's Bake Off victory is still a guaranteed tear-jerker for many of us, but sadly not everyone was as pleased with her win.<br /><br />An article published in The Sun in the aftermath described it as 'ideological warfare' intended to spark a 'multi-cultural jig of politically-correct joy' at the BBC.<br /><br />Thankfully, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/10/08/the-sun-nadiya-hussain-gbbo-winner_n_8261848.html?utm_hp_ref=great-british-bake-off">Twitter had Nadiya's back</a>.
Nadiya's Bake Off victory is still a guaranteed tear-jerker for many of us, but sadly not everyone was as pleased with her win.

An article published in The Sun in the aftermath described it as 'ideological warfare' intended to spark a 'multi-cultural jig of politically-correct joy' at the BBC.

Thankfully, Twitter had Nadiya's back.

Enwezor Nzegwu's shop-bought icing raises eyebrows

Shop-bought icing, though. What was he thinking?
Shop-bought icing, though. What was he thinking?

Paul gets too generous with his Hollywood Handshake

Paul's Hollywood Handshake has been a mainstay of the series, signifying the ultimate seal of approval from the judge and therefore becoming something all the bakers seek to get. <br /><br />However, during the 2018 series, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-paul-hollywood-giving-out-too-many-handshakes-in-this-series-of-bake-off_uk_5ba245d1e4b046313fc12ec5?utm_hp_ref=uk-paul-hollywood">Paul made headlines</a> with the amount he was giving out, with many claiming he was playing it too fast and loose with them compared to previous years. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/paul-hollywood-admits-handshakes-are-too-much-promises-they-will-almost-stop_uk_5badfab5e4b0425e3c2288e2?utm_hp_ref=uk-paul-hollywood">Paul later admitted</a> he needed to "raise his barrier" as the standard of baking had "got better and better".
Paul's Hollywood Handshake has been a mainstay of the series, signifying the ultimate seal of approval from the judge and therefore becoming something all the bakers seek to get. 

However, during the 2018 series, Paul made headlines with the amount he was giving out, with many claiming he was playing it too fast and loose with them compared to previous years. 

Paul later admitted he needed to "raise his barrier" as the standard of baking had "got better and better".

This squirrel

Bake Off is supposed to celebrate everything good about the great British summer, though we think the inclusion of this squirrel's giant testicles in the final edit was possibly 'a bit much'.
Bake Off is supposed to celebrate everything good about the great British summer, though we think the inclusion of this squirrel's giant testicles in the final edit was possibly 'a bit much'.

Paul apologises for Nazi picture

Paul had to publicly apologise in 2017 when an <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/paul-hollywood-nazi-uniform-picture-great-british-bake-off_uk_59b51275e4b0354e44125bfd?utm_hp_ref=uk-paul-hollywood">old picture of him dressed as a Nazi at a fancy dress party resurfaced</a>. <br /><br />After the picture was published in The Sun, he said: “I am absolutely devastated if this caused offence to anyone, the picture was taken 14 years ago en route to a Comedy TV Shows Themed New Year’s Eve Party and a group of us dressed up as characters from the classic TV show ’Allo ’Allo! <br /><br />“Everyone who knows me, knows I am incredibly proud of the efforts of those, including my own grandfather, who fought against the Nazis during the war.”<br /><br />His apology was not well received by all, with former contestant Ruby Tandoh tweeting: “absolutely creasin at ppl telling me “IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO” as if the nazis weren’t bad back then. guys he was still a middle aged man when he did this lol. i don’t think he’s a nazi i just think he’s absurd [sic].”
Paul had to publicly apologise in 2017 when an old picture of him dressed as a Nazi at a fancy dress party resurfaced. 

After the picture was published in The Sun, he said: “I am absolutely devastated if this caused offence to anyone, the picture was taken 14 years ago en route to a Comedy TV Shows Themed New Year’s Eve Party and a group of us dressed up as characters from the classic TV show ’Allo ’Allo!

“Everyone who knows me, knows I am incredibly proud of the efforts of those, including my own grandfather, who fought against the Nazis during the war.”

His apology was not well received by all, with former contestant Ruby Tandoh tweeting: “absolutely creasin at ppl telling me “IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO” as if the nazis weren’t bad back then. guys he was still a middle aged man when he did this lol. i don’t think he’s a nazi i just think he’s absurd [sic].”

Errant fridges land the show in hot water

Back in 2012, the show was accused of product placement to the prominence of Smeg-branded fridges in the Bake Off tent.<br /><br />When Bake Off guidelines were revised, Smeg were also forced to take down a notice on their website announcing their association with the show.
Back in 2012, the show was accused of product placement to the prominence of Smeg-branded fridges in the Bake Off tent.

When Bake Off guidelines were revised, Smeg were also forced to take down a notice on their website announcing their association with the show.

Innuendo

Yes, a few cheeky innuendos might seem like a part of Bake Off as integral as bomber jackets and self-raising flour, but viewers have argued over the years that it can often verge on indecent.<br /><br />Paul Hollywood said in 2014: "Our whole culture has always been based on it. Carry On films did it for 30 years and then there were cheeky beach picture postcards."
Yes, a few cheeky innuendos might seem like a part of Bake Off as integral as bomber jackets and self-raising flour, but viewers have argued over the years that it can often verge on indecent.

Paul Hollywood said in 2014: "Our whole culture has always been based on it. Carry On films did it for 30 years and then there were cheeky beach picture postcards."

Bake Off breaks its own rules

Bake Off fans are sticklers for the rules, as proved during the final technical challenge of the 2018 series. <br /><br />It saw the bakers leave the familiar surroundings of the iconic tent for the first time ever, as they were tasked with making six pitta breads over an open fire, as well as three dips to go with them. <br /><br />It required them to tend to the fire, which <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/great-british-bake-off-final-technical-challenge-fire_uk_5bd8c051e4b01abe6a18f6d9?utm_hp_ref=uk-paul-hollywood">many complained meant it technically wasn't a baking challenge</a>, and therefore went against the rules of the competition. 
Bake Off fans are sticklers for the rules, as proved during the final technical challenge of the 2018 series. 

It saw the bakers leave the familiar surroundings of the iconic tent for the first time ever, as they were tasked with making six pitta breads over an open fire, as well as three dips to go with them. 

It required them to tend to the fire, which many complained meant it technically wasn't a baking challenge , and therefore went against the rules of the competition. 

Prue accidentally reveals the winner

Prue was at the centre of a media storm at the end of her first series when she prematurely revealed on Twitter that Sophie had won, hours before the final was due to air on TV. She later blamed getting confused with the time difference while on holiday in Bhutan. <br /><br />The gaffe has been regarded as one of the best / worst in TV history, and she has failed to live in down ever since, admitting she would be locking herself away on future finale nights.
Prue was at the centre of a media storm at the end of her first series when she prematurely revealed on Twitter that Sophie had won, hours before the final was due to air on TV. She later blamed getting confused with the time difference while on holiday in Bhutan. 

The gaffe has been regarded as one of the best / worst in TV history, and she has failed to live in down ever since, admitting she would be locking herself away on future finale nights.

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