Paul Hollywood nonetheless cannot fly £400k helicopter that prompted row with neighbours

Paul Hollywood reportedly discovered himself on the centre of a row along with his neighbours over his £400,000 helicopter – that he can’t fly.

The Nice British Bake Off decide was seen on the helm of his chopper this weekend after fed-up locals are mentioned to have complained about him touchdown it in his again backyard in Kent.

Paul, 59, was in the end compelled to shift it to a close-by aerodrome in January after it remained at his residence all through final summer time whereas he realized to fly.

After nearly two years, nonetheless, the chef continues to be coaching.

Images seize the TV persona sporting a branded jacket from his helicopter flying faculty, sitting within the cockpit of his Robinson R44 with an teacher beside him as he flies over Kent.

In keeping with insiders, folks often require round 45 hours of coaching to qualify for his or her pilot’s license, however Paul has been at it for 20 months.

‘Most individuals would’ve been signed off ages in the past, however Paul’s nonetheless received the stabilisers on,’ mentioned a supply.

However, he appeared in good spirits and appeared assured whereas taking cost.

It appears to be like just like the baker is benefiting from his downtime forward of the brand new Bake Off collection, the place it’ll be all change within the well-known tent.

Whereas Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will return as hosts with long-standing decide Paul, Dame Prue Leith will now not be a fixture.

Dame Prue introduced final month that she was bowing out, with Nigella Lawson later confirmed as her alternative. She’ll accompany Paul in judging the contestants’ technical and showstopping creations.

South Africa-born TV legend Dame Prue took over the high-profile judging function from Dame Mary Berry in 2017 when Bake Off moved from the BBC to Channel 4, at which level presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins additionally departed.

All through her stint, Dame Prue has judged over 400 challenges however mentioned she felt this was the ‘proper time’ to dip out.

In an announcement issued in January, she added that there’s ‘a lot [she’d] love to do’ together with her spare time, particularly on the subject of spending summers in her backyard.

Forward of Nigella’s announcement, she additionally mentioned: ‘Whoever joins the group, I’m certain they’ll find it irresistible as a lot as I’ve. I really feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.’

She later gave the 66-year-old – who declared that she was ‘honoured’ to be becoming a member of the Bake Off household – her full blessing, ‘thrilled’ that she was to have the expertise as she did.

‘She’s sassy, enjoyable, and she or he is aware of her onions — and her croissants, cake, and crumble,’ added the broadcaster.

As for Paul, he’s a Bake Off staple, having been a daily decide since 2010, along with his culinary profession taking him all around the world within the years since, together with to the States to guage The Nice American Baking Present.