Paul Hollywood, 53, publicly snogs girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam on her 24th birthday blow-out amid divorce battle
PAUL Hollywood passionately and publicly kisses Summer Monteys-Fullam on her 24th birthday blow-out at the races — as estranged wife Alex hit the roof over his lavish spending.
The Bake Off star, 53, seen at Chester, has yet to agree a divorce deal.
A source said: “What grates is that while lawyers are still quibbling over his wealth, he appears to be blowing cash like it’s going out of fashion.”
Paul splashed the cash as he treated Summer to a champagne 24th birthday at the races.
The 53-year-old also celebrated a new Bake Off deal as he lavished his girlfriend of 18 months with gifts — and paid for a £330-a-head private box at Chester.
The loved-up pair put on a very public display of affection, with Summer pulling him in for a kiss. An onlooker said: “Paul and Summer were being really touchy-feely, and are obviously smitten.
“After a couple of drinks, she leaned over and gave him a cheeky snog. They were on fine form and having a laugh with pals.”
The group spent several hours eating and drinking as they cheered on the horses on Friday.
The spree comes as the star, worth an estimated £10million, and Alex, his wife of 19 years, hammer out their divorce settlement amid claims he is “on a mission to spend, spend, spend”.
A source told the Sun on Sunday on Saturday night: “Obviously it is galling for Alex to witness the couple flaunting their happiness, and looking so smug.
“Alex has seen the ridiculous gifts and holidays Paul has forked out on. She wonders and half-jokes if it is so that he has less in the kitty for her, when terms are finally agreed by their legal teams.
“She is resigned to the fact Paul is on a mission to spend, spend, spend. For Summer’s part, she has been patient and understanding.
“She just wants it all to be over now as, unsurprisingly, does Paul.
“Paul and Summer are really happy, and very much in love – and he treats her, and her family, exceptionally well.”
He had more reason to celebrate this week — after signing a £2million, two-year deal to carry on with Bake Off.
Paul is said to have agreed terms with Channel 4 after it extended the hit series in March.
It means the master baker, who has been on the show since 2010, will now be on screen until 2021. The programme is due to return this autumn. A TV source said: “Channel 4 have invested heavily in the format but it’s been a complete smash since moving from the BBC, and Paul has been an integral part of this success.
“Everyone is really happy with viewing figures, and with his contract up for renewal this year, they wanted to ensure continuity.
“The hope is that his co-host Prue Leith will also be on board until 2021.”
Paul certainly looked in the mood to celebrate at Friday’s races.
While he stuck to bottles of beer, Summer enjoyed £80-a-pop Laurent-Perrier champagne. She also drank Pimms and downed some shots given to her by pals.
She wore a low-cut figure hugging dress and appears to have had plumping up treatment on her lips. With balloons decked around the couple’s box, Summer was presented with a pink and raspberry-glazed birthday cake. It is not known if Paul whipped it up.
The gang all cheered as Forest Ranger won the 2.25pm race.
Last week The Sun revealed Paul bought Summer a £9,000 hot tub for her birthday.
Summer showed off her new toy on Instagram, wearing a swimsuit emblazoned with the logo Cake Cake — her pet name for Paul.
He also bought her a £9,000 ring and a £1,000 Rottweiler pup earlier this year.
Last April he whisked her off to Mauritius where they stayed at a £1,000-a-night villa. In December Paul paid for a break to Verbier in the Swiss Alps.
Last year he shelled out around £100,000 for a Range Rover SVR.
Pals say the generous star also paid £6,000 for a tattoo removal laser machine for Summer’s mum Sabina, who part-owns a business.
And builders have been carrying out a refurb of the 18th century farmhouse he shares with Summer.
His lawyers are in talks with Alex with the divorce expected to be finalised in August. She could get half his fortune and keep the marital home in Kent where she still lives.
The couple announced their split in November 2017.
As revealed by The Sun on Sunday last year, Alex has alleged adultery in divorce papers without specifically naming Summer. In February Alex, mum to Paul’s teenage son Josh, had a fiery spat with Summer when they bumped into one another in M&S in Canterbury, Kent.
Speaking recently about her split from Paul, Alex said: “It’s sad when a marriage comes to an end but now I want to move on.
“I have a whole life ahead of me, so that is what I’m going to be doing, I’m taking my chances and trying to look forward.”
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Alex celebrated her 55th birthday yesterday. She posted a message on her Instagram on Friday saying: “Pottering about in my garden, thinking about my 55th birthday tomorrow and all the roles I’ve played up til now. I’m a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I’m a cook, an author, I’ve been a wife, a scuba instructor, a chalet girl, I’ve run businesses, learned a myriad of new skills & travelled to amazing places, met wonderful people and discovered new foods, cultures, languages.
“I’ve been truly blessed and I’m thankful for it all, I’m still filled with curiosity, I know there’s loads more out there for me to discover . . . and I’m so ready for it!
Last night Summer posted a beaming photo alongside her mum, wearing a new Dolce and Gabbana dress. She wrote: “Spending my birthday with the most incredible people. Always surround yourself with people who value you and love you — can’t go wrong. #happygirl #lifeswhatyoubakeit”.
How he's spent all the dough
PAUL’S spending spree includes a £100,000 Range Rover SVR.
Earlier this year he bought Summer a £9,000 ring from jeweller Boodles.
This month he spent £9,000 on a seven-seater hot tub, complete with surround-sound and 55 hydrotherapy jets.
The couple have enjoyed romantic trips to Mauritius and the Swiss Alps.
And in 2017, Paul wined and dined Summer at London’s five-star Dorchester hotel.