Paul Hollywood Convicted of Speeding at 96mph on M25 Motorway
The Great British Bake Off judge, 60, admitted driving at nearly 100mph on motorways in wet conditions and tailgating other drivers. He received five penalty points, a £293 fine and additional costs after the January incident. A separate charge of driving without due care was withdrawn.
bbc.co.ukPaul Hollywood was convicted of speeding after driving at nearly 100mph on the M25 and M26 motorways on January 9 while attempting to get his unwell cat to a veterinary surgery. The incident occurred at approximately 3:20pm when a Surrey Police officer spotted the 60-year-old television personality's Land Rover Defender travelling at excessive speed.
The Great British Bake Off judge's speed was officially recorded at 96mph, though he is thought to have reached speeds exceeding 105mph after joining the M26.
PC Alexander McAlpine pursued Hollywood in an unmarked vehicle. The officer witnessed the celebrity chef repeatedly intimidate other motorists through aggressive tailgating. Hollywood approached vehicles ahead at distances of less than five metres before accelerating heavily once they moved aside.
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, Hollywood maintained speeds around 100mph. He achieved even higher velocities on the quieter M26, where the officer recorded a peak speed of approximately 105mph and noted his general pace remained above 90mph for a sustained period.
After being stopped, Hollywood explained that his urgent driving was due to transporting an unwell cat. "Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast. He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet," Peter Csemiczky, a partner at legal firm Hickman and Rose, said in a statement.
Hollywood admitted the speeding offence at Worthing Magistrates' Court. He pleaded guilty in writing and was sentenced on April 27 through the Single Justice Procedure, meaning he did not need to appear in court. The court handed Hollywood five penalty points on his driving licence.
He was ordered to pay a £293 fine, £120 in costs and a £117 victim surcharge. A separate allegation of driving without due care and attention was withdrawn by police. Court documents revealed Hollywood had no existing penalty points when stopped in January.
Hollywood made his racing debut in 2015 and has competed professionally for Aston Martin in events including the British GT championship. During a 2022 appearance on the Bake Off spin-off Extra Slice, he said "I probably drive a little bit too quick. " Prue Leith revealed she had only dared travel as Hollywood's passenger once.
GB News reported the details of the case and Hollywood's history of acknowledging his fast driving habits.
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