Paul Hollywood convicted of driving offence as Bake Off star slapped with fine after family emergency dash

Paul Hollywood has been convicted of speeding after driving at nearly 100mph on the M25 and M26 motorways while attempting to get his unwell cat to a veterinary surgery.

The Great British Bake Off judge, 60, admitted the offence at Worthing Magistrates' Court and received five penalty points on his driving licence.

He was also ordered to pay a £293 fine alongside £120 in costs and a £117 victim surcharge.

The incident occurred on January 9 at approximately 3:20pm when a Surrey Police officer spotted Mr Hollywood's Land Rover Defender travelling at excessive speed.

While officially recorded at 96mph, the television personality is thought to have reached speeds exceeding 105mph after joining the M26.

PC Alexander McAlpine, who pursued Mr Hollywood in an unmarked vehicle, described witnessing the celebrity chef repeatedly intimidate other motorists through aggressive tailgating to force them from the outside lane.

The officer stated that Mr Hollywood would approach vehicles ahead at distances of less than five metres before accelerating heavily once they moved aside, then repeating this pattern with the next car in his path.

On one occasion, the Land Rover followed another vehicle at roughly two metres while travelling at approximately 80mph.

Despite heavy traffic and wet road surfaces on the M25, Mr Hollywood maintained speeds around 100mph before achieving even higher velocities on the quieter M26.

The officer recorded a peak speed of approximately 105mph, with Mr Hollywood's general pace remaining above 90mph for a sustained period.

After being stopped, Mr Hollywood explained to the officer that his urgent driving was due to transporting an unwell cat.

His legal representatives at Hickman and Rose subsequently issued a statement accepting responsibility for his actions.

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"Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast," wrote Peter Csemiczky, a partner at the firm. "He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet. He understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions."

A separate allegation of driving without due care and attention was withdrawn by police following intervention from his lawyers.

Mr Hollywood had entered a not guilty plea to that charge.

Court documents revealed he had no existing penalty points when stopped in January.

The television chef pleaded guilty in writing and was sentenced on April 27 through the Single Justice Procedure, meaning he did not need to appear in court.

Beyond his television career, Mr Hollywood is an accomplished motorsport competitor who has raced professionally for Aston Martin.

He made his racing debut in 2015 and has since competed in events including the British GT championship and a 24-hour race at the Circuit of the Americas.

The baker's tendency towards fast driving has previously been acknowledged publicly.

During a 2022 appearance on the Bake Off spin-off Extra Slice, he admitted that speeding was his "most unappealing habit".

"I probably drive a little bit too quick. It scares a few people," he said. "I took Mary [Berry] in a car once and she was hitting me with her handbag."

His current co-judge, Prue Leith, also expressed concern, revealing she had only dared travel as his passenger once.