“Marcela was brilliant,” the Bake Off judge enthused, when RadioTimes.com innocently asked if he had hit it off with his comely co-star. “She trained in Paris in pastry, although she comes from the Mexican style [of cooking] so she's very into her flavours. Her tastebuds are exceptional.”

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So he didn’t miss Mary Berry? “By the end she sounded just like Mary, so they all slip into that role in the end! She was superb, better than I thought she'd be – because how can you compare with Mary, you know?

“But no, very, very good – slipped into the role extremely well.”

Valladolid – who is 13 years younger then Hollywood – has apparently reciprocated the compliment, calling Hollywood “a handsome devil”.

Last Friday Hollywood, 47, confirmed he had separated from his wife of 15 years, Alexandra, 49, with whom he has a son. Yesterday it emerged that Valladolid has also split from her spouse, Mexican politician Fausto Gallardo.

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The pair was reunited this week to promote the show, which has been re-titled The Great American Baking Competition and airs next Wednesday on CBS. Currently there are no plans to broadcast it on British television.

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