Taking the biscuit: BBC denies Paul Hollywood's Great British Bake Off job is at risk following split from wife

Judge Paul Hollywood from the BBC's Great British Bake Off (PA)

The BBC has denied reports that Paul Hollywood's role on The Great British Bake Off is under threat following his split from his wife.

Hollywood, 47, whose appearance on the hit TV show turned him into something of a heartthrob, confirmed earlier this month that he had separated from his wife Alexandra after 15 years of marriage.

The baker has recently been working on The American Baking Competition, a US version of the Bake Off, with Marcela Valladolid, 34, taking the place of cookery guru Mary Berry.

Producers of the BBC2 baking show were reported to be considering whether Hollywood should remain as a presenter following reports about his private life, while fellow judge Berry was said to be threatening to quit the show if Hollywood was axed.

But a BBC spokesperson denied the reports, saying that Hollywood was a "highly-valued" part of the team.

"There is categorically no truth to the speculation that Paul Hollywood's position on The Great British Bake Off is in any way in doubt or under threat," the spokesperson said.

"He is a highly valued member of the Bake Off team and we are currently filming series 4 with Paul, Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as well as four Masterclasses with Paul and Mary all for transmission later this year."

The artisan baker, recently seen in Paul Hollywood's Bread, released a statement confirming that he had split from his wife - with whom he has a son, just days after he turned up to the TV Baftas without her.

He has previously joked about becoming a sex symbol thanks to his TV appearances: "My wife finds it hilarious - I get marriage proposals, maybe one a week."

PA