Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has gained a reputation for his steely gaze, his firm handshake of approval and his bread-making expertise.

Paul was one half of a beloved television double act, serving as co-judge with cookery expert Mary Berry.

But while Mary has quit alongside Bake Off presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, Paul will be following the show from the BBC to Channel 4.

The 50-year-old, who was born in Merseyside, has followed the family baking tradition.

With a grandfather who was head baker at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, a young Paul worked at his father’s bakery in York.

He later became a baker at hotels around Britain including the Dorchester in London, and also worked at resorts in Cyprus.

Paul gained a reputation as an authority on bread making with his best-selling cookery book 100 Great Breads.

It was The Great British Bake Off which made Hollywood a household name after its 2010 launch, with the show becoming a national favourite.

On the back of the show’s success, he set out to conquer the US with The American Baking Competition – with Marcela Valladolid at his side as co-judge.

However, the show was cancelled after one series and also led to marriage trouble for Paul, after he allegedly embarked on an affair with Marcela.

He and wife Alexandra are now reconciled. They share a teenage son, Josh.

Paul will now be the only member of the original line-up returning to the show, saying: “I just couldn’t turn my back on all that.”