Meet the Real-Life Loves of “The Great British Baking Show” Hosts and Judges
Meet the Real-Life Loves of “The Great British Baking Show” Hosts and Judges
Caroline BlairTue, September 29, 2026 at 8:02 PM UTC
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Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding; Lliana Bird and Noel Fielding.Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty; Simon Ackerman/WireImage -
The Great British Baking Show returned for collection 14 with co-hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond in September 2026
Original judge Paul Hollywood is joined by newcomer Nigella Lawson
Several of the hosts and judges are in relationships
The Great British Baking Showis back for another round of sweet treats.
The culinary competition has returned to Netflix with a new group of amateur bakers competing for the collection 14 title. Beginning on Sept. 25, episodes hit the streamer every Friday and showcase the contestants facing off in Signature, Technical and Showstopper challenges.
Similar to past collections, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return as the comedic hosts, while Paul Hollywood reprises his role as a judge. However, unlike previous episodes, Nigella Lawsonjoins the beloved show as a judge — replacing Prue Leith, who announced in January 2026 that she wouldn’t be returning to the series.
“The Bake Off foursome have spent the hottest summer together in the tent, with a new intake of bakers rising to each of the challenges,” a release shared with PEOPLE read. “Viewers can expect to see Nigella bringing her trademark warmth, wit and passion for flavour to the tent, alongside Paul Hollywood and his famously exacting eye for a great bake. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding return to guide the bakers and keep them smiling through the thrills, spills and showstoppers in what promises to be a truly delicious series.”
While the hosts and judges all spend time together trying some of the most delicious treats under the tent, they all have personal lives they return to after the ovens turn off.
Here’s everything to know about the real-life partners of The Great British Baking Show hosts and judges.
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Noel Fielding and Lliana Bird
Noel Fielding and Lliana Bird attend Bella Freud’s birthday celebration on April 18, 2024 in London, England.Credit: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty
Fielding is a longtime Baking Show presenter, as he’s been co-hosting the show since 2017.
When the English comedian isn’t cracking up viewers with his eccentric behavior, he’s spending time with his partner, Lliana Bird, and their two children.
Bird, who goes by Birdy, is also in the entertainment industry and works as a radio DJ, author, podcast host and actress. The couple welcomed daughter Dali in 2018 and daughter Iggy two years later.
Bird and Fielding frequently share sweet pictures of them spending time together and enjoying their family of four. In May 2026, Bird posted several photos of Fielding to celebrate his 53rd birthday and called him their “magical, gentle, lyrical, kaleidoscopic angel.”
“And we love every little bit of you!! How you immerse yourself so completely in your art,” she began. “How you cry every single time you hear Joni Mitchell sing cos her lyrics are just so damn beautiful. How your mum and dad remain your absolute best friends. How you will never stop talking about the power of female songwriting and energy. How you truly believe anyone can draw (I can’t! 😂).”
Bird continued, “How you make us all laugh, every single day (even when times get tough). How your heart breaks when your loved ones are in pain. How you have this bewitching power to make the mundane sublime. And most of all, how you live and breath for our girls with them at the forefront of all that you do. We love you. Xx.”
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Alison Hammond and David Putman
Alison Hammond attends the NTA’s 2025 in London, England.Credit: Jeff Spicer/Getty
Alison Hammond, who joined the Baking Show in 2023, has been in a relationship with David Putman since that same year.
The British broadcaster and the massage therapist reportedly met after she received a treatment from him, and after becoming friends, they began to date. In addition to being a specialized massage therapist, Putman is also a model who has posed for various clothing brands.
“I’ve got a lovely man in my life,” Hammond told The Mirror in August 2026. “It’s just easy. I think that’s when you know you’ve got something special. He just sees me for who I am. We choose each other, every day.”
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However, Hammond also said fans shouldn’t be expecting a wedding anytime soon, as she said they “don’t need to,” because they’re “both cool.” She also addressed their 22-year age gap.
“It’s nothing to do with anyone else,” she said. “Yeah, people are going to talk. People do. But that’s their business, not mine.”
Hammond is also a mother to son Aiden from a previous relationship. She added that Aiden has given his nod of approval for her beau.
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Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding
Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding attend the World Premiere of “The King’s Man” on December 06, 2021 in London, England.Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Paul Hollywood is the only remaining original Baking Show cast member, as he’s been co-judging the show since its 2010 premiere.
The celebrity chef has been married to Melissa Spalding since 2023. The couple initially hit it off in 2019 when she was working at the Chequers Inn, a pub in Kent, The Daily Mail reported at the time.
After four years of dating and later moving in together, they tied the knot on Sept. 20, 2023, in Cyprus.
The former pub owner and the television personality keep much of their personal life out of the spotlight. In a 2024 interview with The Times, Hollywood explained that they reside in a simple Kent farmhouse with their cats.
Hollywood was previously married to Alexandra Hollywood for 20 years before divorcing in 2017. The former couple share son Josh Hollywood.
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Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson attends the UK Premiere of “Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie” on September 10, 2026.Credit: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage
Nigella Lawson is the newest member of the Baking Show team and making her debut as a judge on collection 14.
The British food writer and television chef appears to be single, but she has previously been in a handful of high-profile relationships.
Lawson was married to British journalist John Diamond from 1992 until his death from throat cancer in March 2001. The couple shared daughter Cosima and son Bruno.
Lawson credited Diamond for encouraging her to pursue a career in food and entertainment and took time off after his death before continuing her passions.
Two years after Diamond’s death, Lawson married Charles Saatchi. After a decade of marriage, Lawson filed for divorce following photos surfacing of Saatchi’s hands around her throat. At the time he claimed it was a “playful tiff” and said he was “attempting to emphasise” his “point.” Saatchi received a “caution for assault” from local police, per The Guardian.
Lawson reflected on the ordeal and told The Guardian in 2020 that she’s a “mended person.”
“And that really does surprise me, because I didn’t think [happiness] was one of my gifts,” she reflected. “I’m not sure I would have thought I’d be a mended person, which I am.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
