'The age gap isn't a problem': Paul Hollywood, 51, 'wined and dined a barmaid, 22, on secret hotel date'... after splitting from wife of 20 years Alexandra

Paul and Alexandra, 53 - who have 16-year-old son - announced split last week

Paul reportedly took Summer Monteys-Fullham on date at The Dorchester hotel

The Bake Off judge allegedly met her at his local pub in Kent when he organised birthday party for his wife Alexandra - and struck up a 'close friendship' with her

Paul Hollywood reportedly had a secret date with a barmaid 30 years younger than him at a swanky hotel in London.

The Great British Bake Off judge, 51, allegedly went for dinner and drinks with Summer Monteys-Fullham at The Dorchester after splitting from his wife of 20 years, Alexandra.

The pair met earlier this year at Paul's local pub where he organised Alexandra's birthday party and have struck up a close bond despite the 29-year age gap, sources claimed.

Paul and Alexandra, who have a 16-year-old son, announced they were splitting last week - but reportedly parted ways earlier this year.

And since their marriage broke down months ago, Paul has reportedly formed a 'close friendship' with Summer.

Summer is believed to work at the Duke William pub in the village of Ickham, Kent - which is Paul's local haunt.

She is 'very mature' for her age so the gap with Paul isn't a problem and she believes the pair could 'become a couple' in the future, sources claimed.

'Paul and Summer have struck up a close friendship — the age gap between them doesn't seem to be a problem,' an insider told The Sun.

'She has told friends that she believes that they could, in the future, become a couple.'

The insider claimed that Paul, who moved into a £1.4million home near the pub with Alexandra, 53, this year, kept 'popping in' to see Summer after the birthday party. 

 'After the party Paul kept popping into the pub. But he only seemed to come in when Summer was working,' they said.

The couple were reportedly often seen catching up and having long conversations 'in a corner' of the pub. 

Paul and Alex confirmed their heartbreaking split in a joint statement on Monday saying: 'It is with sadness that we have decided to separate.

'Our focus continues to be the happiness of our son, and we would ask the press and public to allow us privacy as a family during this very difficult time.'

The baking guru, who is now worth £10million, split from his wife, 53, temporarily in 2013 after admitting an affair with his US co-star Marcela Valladolid, 39.

The couple reconciled a few months later and he described the incident as 'the biggest mistake of my life' in an interview with BBC radio.

Speaking at the time, he told the BBC he 'was shocked about the whole thing kicking off the way it did... but I deserved it and I've taken it. It was my punishment'.

However a source told The Sun: 'Paul was totally into Marcela and threw himself in with both feet. When it all fell apart he went back to Alex with his tail between his legs, but in reality if Marcela had wanted to keep it going he was all for it.'