Paul Hollywood enjoys some fresh air on a country stroll

He confirmed his romance with new girlfriend Melissa Spalding at the end of last year.

And Paul Hollywood appeared in good spirits as he stepped out for some fresh air on a country stroll in Kent on Sunday.

The Great British Bake Off star, 54, cut a casual figure for the day as he got some exercise during Britain’s ongoing lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Paul sported a black T-shirt and blue jeans for the day, completing his look with a pair of brown boots. 

The TV star is likely resting up at home after it emerged filming of Bake Off has been delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Channel 4 was due to start taping the 11th series in spring, with Matt Lucas replacing Sandi Toksvig as the show’s new co-host alongside Noel Fielding.

A Channel 4 spokesperson confirmed the show would resume filming once it was ‘safe to proceed’.    

Meanwhile, Paul and girlfriend Melissa spent Christmas Day at the Chequers Inn in Smarden, Kent, a spokesman for Paul told the Mail On Sunday: ‘They are very happily together.’

It is understood that the new couple headed on a mini break shortly after Christmas.

A source close to the couple said: ‘Melissa was pulling pints and cleaning tables on Christmas Day so they didn’t get to spend much time together, but they are away now.’

In November, the pair were spotted holding hands by the pool at the five-star Annabelle hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, where he also met and married his estranged wife Alex.

However, despite being loved-up with Melissa, Paul is set for more drama as he is reported to be settling his divorce and battle for his £10 million fortune from wife Alex out of court.

While the TV baker’s ex-girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam recently revealed that she is taking her former flame to court for £4,000 over her two horse shelters, built at his £800,000 Kent farmhouse earlier in the year.

Summer claimed she’d been left with ‘no alternative’ but to take legal action against the Bake Off judge four months after they ended their two-year relationship. 

She told MailOnline: ‘All I have ever wanted was to get back what is rightfully mine – stuff I bought with my own savings… he’s punishing my horses with his spite.’

The social media influencer purchased the first stable when she moved her horses to his Grade II listed home in January, and built the second in March for her mare who was pregnant.

‘I’m incredibly disappointed that I’ve had to choose this course of action against Paul’, she said. ‘Dealing with Paul is a nightmare – everything is done through his lawyers.’

Paul and Summer split over the summer after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, as requested by the Bake Off star.