Paul Hollywood’s wife ‘mortified' by Candice Brown kiss

Paul Hollywood’s wife was left mortified after the Bake Off judge’s kiss with Candice Brown put their marriage in the spotlight, according to reports.

Paul and Alexandra announced their split earlier this week after nearly 20 years together.

It came days after pictures emerged of Hollywood and Brown sharing a kiss as they parted ways after the Pride of Britain Awards.

The move reportedly upset Alexandra as it “kick-started” speculation over their marriage.

A source told The Sun: “Their marriage was coming to an end anyway but this doubtless accelerated things.

“She found the situation mortifying having the marriage being pored over and the fact it kick-started all this speculation once more.”

Brown shot down rumours of a romance with the TV chef, insisting it was simply a “goodbye peck”.

The 2016 Great British Bake Off champion mocked the alleged ‘intimacy’ on Twitter, claiming she will stop dishing out goodbye hugs or kisses.

Paul and Alexandra announced their split in a joint statement on Monday, saying they were parting ways for the “happiness” of their son.

“It is with sadness that we have decided to separate,” they said.

“Our focus continues to be the happiness of our son, and we would ask the press and public to allow us privacy as a family during this very difficult time.”

Paul married Alexandra, who is also a chef, in 1998.

They briefly separated in 2013 after he admitted to having an affair with Marcela Valladolid, who was his co-host on the short-lived US version of Bake Off.

Standard Online has contacted representatives for Paul and Brown for comment.