Paul Hollywood has revealed his fears about cancer as he enters his late 50s, following the recent death of a close friend to the disease.
The 59-year-old Bake Off judge admitted the loss was a stark reminder of his own mortality.
“I’ve been lucky with my family. There isn’t cancer really in my family at the moment. But we’ve got friends… someone I know has just died. You’re acutely aware (of cancer),” Hollywood said, reports the Daily Star.
On top of the bereavement, Hollywood reflected on how age had also changed his perspective on mortality.
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“As you get older, you tend to hear it more. In your 20s, 30s, 40s, you think: ‘I’ll live forever’ and, all of a sudden, your 50s start and you think: ‘Hang on, I’m losing mates here. What’s going on?'” he said.
The star’s concerns come as he continues to support the charity Stand Up To Cancer through his television work.
Hollywood is returning to judge on Channel 4’s celebrity special, dedicated to the cause, this Sunday in The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off.
“It shines a light on the big problem of cancer in this country and what Stand Up to Cancer is trying to do,” he celebrated.
The initiative has been running for several years and has raised millions for groundbreaking research.
Hollywood will be joined by newcomer judge Caroline Waldegrave, stepping in for Pure Leith, and regular hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.
This weekend’s show will see two celeb duos face off, married couple Chris and Rosie Ramsey and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas.
The star studded special will also feature an extensive list of celebs putting their baking skills to the test.
Adam Buxton, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Gloria Hunniford, Ellie Goldstein, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Jamali Maddix, Jim Howick, Kate Garraway, Maxine Peake, Meera Syal, Phil Wang, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Roman Kemp, Rosie Ramsey, Sarah Beeny, Sophie Willan and Tommy Tiernan are all set to take on the Bake Off tent.
Many of the contestants on the new series have been affected by cancer.
This includes Gloria Hunniford, who lost her daughter Caron Keating to breast cancer.
The Bake Off family lost one of its own former contestants, Dawn Hollyoak, last year.
The 61-year-old’s death was announced “with a heavy heart” on Instagram.
She was the 6th baker to leave the tent during the 2022 series.
Hollywood led tributes to the baker, writing on social media: “I’m so sorry to hear that, send my love to the family a lovely lady x.”
