Paul Hollywood 'devastated' after pictures of Bake Off judge wearing Nazi uniform fancy dress appear online

'I am absolutely devastated if this caused offence to anyone'

The Bake Off judge says he was dressed as a sitcom character for a themed fancy dress party (Getty)

Paul Hollywood has issued a statement regarding photographs of himself wearing a Nazi uniform down a local village pub.

The Great British Bake Off judge said he was devastated they were circulating online, explaining why the incident took place 14 years ago.

"I am absolutely devastated if this caused offence to anyone, the picture was taken 14 years ago en route to a Comedy TV Show's Themed New Year's Eve Party and a group of us dressed up as characters from the classic TV show 'Allo ‘Allo,” 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.”

The TV personality was with a friend and their wives, all dressed in Second World War attire. Hollywood wore a Nazi SS style uniform featuring a red swastika armband and an Iron Cross dangling from a pocket.

A source told The Sun: "To them it was a great big joke to be wearing a Nazi uniform, and they were laughing about it and happily posed for a picture at the bar. But some found it offensive – especially the fact they thought it was really funny.”

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism told The Guardian: “Wearing these costumes for fun is an insult to the British soldiers and civilians who died repelling Hitler’s onslaught, and the six million Jews and many others who were murdered. However we appreciate Paul Hollywood’s immediate apology and note that this happened 14 years ago. We do not expect any further action.”