Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood wants to 'disappear and hide' following collapse of his marriage

Judge Paul Hollywood from the BBC's Great British Bake Off (PA)

Paul Hollywood has admitted that he is "upset and sad" about the collapse of his marriage - and that he might have been happier if he had not become famous.

The Great British Bake Off judge left Alexandra, 49, his wife of 15 years, amid an attempt to launch his career in the US and reports of a relationship with his new co-star Marcela Valladolid, 35.

Hollywood, who returns to the small screen with Mary Berry for a fourth series of Bake Off this week, told the Radio Times that he is tempted to "disappear and hide".

The 47-year-old, who said that he did not have girlfriends until his mid-20s, described himself as "an old man from the rough end of town" and admitted that he is an "egomaniac".

Hollywood, who has an 11-year-old son with Alexandra, said: "I didn't think Bake Off would be like this, although you have to be an egomaniac to do it. Anyone who says they're not is kidding themselves. You couldn't put yourself in front of a camera otherwise.

"But I won't comment on my marriage for my son's sake. He became quite ill. I live about a mile from where I used to and love him to pieces.

"He was asked to do a show at school about someone famous and phoned me, saying, 'I want to pick you'. I nearly cried. I said, 'Josh, I'm not famous', and he replied, 'Daddy, you are'.

"I broke down. I'm upset and sad about the whole separation. I've been totally honest with those in the know.

"Everyone else? That's their problem. I don't care."

He told the magazine: "I thought I'd spend my life making baguettes, muffins, croissants. I might have been happier if I had. One day I'll disappear and hide in a corner of Britain.

"I'll own a bakery in a village, live above it, have a big garden because I like mowing. I want to get up when I feel like it, let people queue for my products and when they're gone, shut the shop and think about tomorrow. Creating magic - that's my dream. And I'll do it."

Hollywood called his heartthrob status "a joke", adding: "I'm an old man from the rough end of town. Wouldn't you be (flattered)? I lost my youth because I started baking with my dad at 17, and had to get up and go to bed early.

"I needed the money, was happy to be led, and happened to have a good feeling for it, but it took over my life. I never had girlfriends or went clubbing until I was in my mid-20s."

There has been speculation that Hollywood's marriage breakdown could affect Bake Off's popularity and in May the BBC denied reports that his role on the BBC2 show was under threat.

But Hollywood said: "It's about bakers, not judges. Maybe fame has caused a problem, but it's not fame as such. To nail it to that would be foolhardy.

"It's the perfect storm, a blend of everything. One in two marriages fail. I don't see those people written about in the papers every day."

Hollywood, who was recently pictured with Valladolid in Majorca, said that he could not understand why Bake Off was so successful but said that "nostalgia" was key.

He insisted: "The real Paul Hollywood is shy, likes nothing better than going home, putting on slippers and dressing gown, having a cup of tea and watching telly."

Alexandra told last month how she believes that there is "no going back" to the marriage and that it was time for her to "move on".

"In the space of four weeks my life changed irrevocably. One minute I was happily married and the next I wasn't. It was a complete shock. I still haven't completely absorbed it yet," she said.

The American Baking Competition, which Hollywood presented in the US with Valladolid, is not thought to be returning for a second series after failing to attract enough viewers.

Hollywood said that he has not got time to deal properly with his bakery, the Paul Hollywood Artisan Bread Company, which is being taken over by a conglomerate, adding: "I haven't time any more. It's a huge headache and massive problem because I wasn't there enough. I'll start recipe development and products."

PA