It’s fair to say that Melissa Spalding got much more than just a Hollywood handshake when she first waited on Great British Bake Off star Paul at his local pub almost four years ago.
In fact, Spalding is now on the verge of becoming the TV baker’s second wife when they get married this week – at the same Cyprus resort where he married his first.
Hollywood, 57, is said to have “quietly” proposed last year and is now ready to tie the knot with the 39-year-old publican, who is 17 years his junior.
The upcoming wedding follows a bitter divorce from his first wife Alexandra, with whom he has a son, in 2019 and subsequent relationship with beautician Summer Monteys-Fullam.
A strange twist is that Spalding and Monteys-Fullam have been friends for years and have lived close to each other in rural Kent.
But who is the bar owner responsible for winning Hollywood’s heart? Read on to find out more.
The Other Half: Melissa Spalding is set to marry Paul Hollywood in Cyprus, but who is the pub landlord responsible for winning his heart?
WHO IS SHE?
Spalding is a former publican who was running the Checkers Inn in the picturesque Kent village of Smarden, near Ashford, when she met Hollywood.
The quaint pub from the 14th century is said to have belonged to her parents. The website says: “The Spalding family are hospitable innkeepers who will warmly welcome you to their historic building and garden.”
Spalding has been engaged twice and was once due to marry professional golfer Jason Barnes, who lives in Ashford.
She is from Kent and was educated at Headcorn Primary School in Maidstone and nearby Invicta Grammar School.
When did she meet the “Bake Off” star?
The couple began dating four years ago after Bake Off star Hollywood became a regular guest at Checkers.
While the TV personality, whose relationship with Summer Monteys-Fullam had only ended a few weeks earlier, initially denied the romance, her car was reportedly parked on the drive outside his nearby home, a £1 million listed building.
Close: Spalding is a former publican who was running the Checkers Inn in the picturesque Kent village of Smarden, near Ashford, when she met Hollywood
Related: Curiously, Spalding and Hollywood’s ex Summer Monteys-Fullam (pictured) have been friends for years, having lived close to each other in rural Kent
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
It is said that Melissa moved into Hollywood’s four-bedroom 18th century farmhouse in April 2020. The couple grew closer as the UK went into a nationwide lockdown during the pandemic.
The decision to move in together was thought to have been triggered by the Checkers’ sale, but friends say the house was originally purchased when Hollywood was dating Monteys-Fullam.
A source told the Mail On Sunday: “Paul and Melissa have been spending a lot of time together in lockdown.”
“They came together and stayed in his house.” Now she’s finally here. They are delightfully happy, although it must be a bit strange considering it was bought for the summer.’
When and where will they get married?
Spalding and Hollywood will exchange vows this weekend in a private ceremony at the Anassa in Paphos – one of Cyprus’ most famous hotels.
Hollywood married his first wife Alexandra at the same location after they met when he worked as head baker at a five-star hotel on the island and she worked as a diving instructor.
A source told The Sun: “Secretly people find it strange that he is getting married here because he has so many memories of his first wife linked to the hotel.”
“He is treated like a king by the owners, but what must Melissa think?” She is following in the same footsteps where he had another woman on his arm.
“He speaks publicly about how precious the memories are to him at Anassa. ‘But they all involve other women.’
It is understood 75 friends and family will attend the wedding, including Hollywood’s Bake Off colleague Prue Leith.
Previously: Hollywood and his first wife Alexandra divorced in 2019 (pictured together in January 2015)