Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood defends wife after ‘unforgivable’ Kent pub row

Presenter chides vindictiveness' of locals near Ashford who opposed plan to convert 600-year-old pub into house

Paul Hollywood has defended his wife after unforgivable" criticism from local people in a Kent village who are upset over the closure of a historical pub that she owns with her family.

Melissa Hollywood went before Ashford borough council this week and obtained permission to turn the 600-year-old Chequers Inn in Smarden into a single-family residence.