‘Great British Bake Off’ Star Paul Hollywood Apologizes for Wearing Nazi Uniform Costume

“Great British Bake Off” judge Paul Hollywood apologized to fans after an image of him in a Nazi costume was published in The Sun on Sunday.

The 51-year-old baking expert explained that the photo came from a 2003 New Year’s Eve costume party, where guests were encouraged to dress like characters from TV comedies. Hollywood said his costume was inspired by General Von Klinkerhoffen, a character from the 80s BBC comedy series “‘Allo ‘Allo,” which was set in World War II (though the character did not wear the swastika armband that was included in Hollywood’s costume).

#GBBOf‘s Paul Hollywood stunned pub drinkers after turning up dressed in full Nazi officer uniformhttps://t.co/sJr27CcI5X pic.twitter.com/MsCaOKQvdZ

– The Sun (@TheSun) September 10, 2017

Hollywood’s wife and friends were also shown in the photographs wearing costumes inspired by characters from the show, including ones resembling Nazis and French Resistance officers.

“I am absolutely devastated if this caused offence [sic] to anyone,” Hollywood said in a statement. “Everyone who knows me knows I am incredibly proud of the efforts of those, including my own grandfather, who fought against the Nazis during the war.”

In 2015, Hollywood appeared on an episode of BBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?,” where he learned that his grandfather, Norman Harman, fought in Tunisia and Italy during WWII as an anti-aircraft gunner.

Hollywood is the only returning cast member on the latest season of “Great British Bake Off,” which moved from BBC One to Channel 4 last year. He is joined by new judge Prue Leith and new hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.