Paul Hollywood may have found an eye-catching way to reach the Bake Off tent. However, reports claim his helicopter commute has failed to impress new co-judge Nigella Lawson.
Reports claim Paul Hollywood’s lavish arrivals have been labeled “cringey” by co-stars
The Daily Mail reported that Hollywood uses a £500,000 Robinson Raven helicopter for the roughly 120-mile commute from Kent to Welford Park in Berkshire, where producers film “The Great British Bake Off.”
A source claimed the arrivals have caused tension behind the scenes and said Nigella Lawson finds the display “all rather cringe.” The insider also described the helicopter as a status symbol and called Hollywood’s approach “gauche.”
Neither Lawson nor Hollywood has publicly addressed the report. Channel 4 also has not confirmed any disagreement between the judges. For now, the claims remain anonymous accounts rather than comments from either star.
The helicopter has reportedly attracted attention beyond the Bake Off set. According to the same report, complaints about noise and frightened horses pushed Hollywood to move the aircraft from land near his farmhouse to Manston Airport. He now reportedly begins part of the commute by traveling to the airport.
Lawson apparently takes a less dramatic route and arrives by car. The contrast has reportedly sparked some “sniggering behind the scenes,” although the source did not identify who joined in.
The rumored tension comes as Lawson prepares for her first season beside Hollywood. Channel 4 confirmed her appointment in January, following early reports that placed her in the Bake Off tent after Prue Leith stepped down after nine seasons.
Lawson said she felt “bubbling with excitement” about joining the show, though she admitted that following Leith and Mary Berry felt daunting. Her arrival places a major television personality next to the competition’s longest-serving judge.
Hollywood has experienced awkward moments with a co-judge before. He once recalled leaving the tent briefly because Leith embarrassed him during filming. Whether the latest story reflects genuine friction or simple set gossip remains unclear. Still, a helicopter landing rarely counts as a subtle first impression.
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