OL’ BLUE eyes is back, as TV chef and housewives’ favourite Paul Hollywood arrives at the Lighthouse in Poole on Thursday night.

No stranger to the area, Paul’s last tour visited in May when he appeared at the Bournemouth Pavilion.

Having played to over 30,000 fans across the country with his first tour Get Your Bake On, this new show British Baking Live sees Paul roll up his sleeves and talk about some of his favourite regional baking.

“I was amazed at how much fun and how knowledgeable our audiences were on my first tour. I had such a great time that we decided to do it all again.

“I can’t wait to meet people in places we didn’t manage to get to last time around, especially our dates in Ireland and my home town of Liverpool,” says Paul, 48.

British Baking Live will see Paul reveal some of the secrets of being a TV chef and take the audience on a culinary tour of the UK, showcasing some of the country’s best-loved regional specialities.

The show will culminate with four lucky, randomly chosen audience members coming on stage to bake with Paul.

“I’m looking forward to getting out and interacting with people,” adds Paul.

“I’ll be sharing recipes that represent the stages of my life.”

The 48-year-old was catapulted into the celebrity arena when he and Mary Berry were paired together as the BBC’s Great British Bake Off judges.

It was an inspired decision and one which many attribute to the programme’s success (the last series ended on a high of 9.2 million viewers).

Yet his media career began in 2002 on Carlton Food Network and Taste where he co-presented two TV series with James Martin.

In total, he’s been kneading dough for 30 years, enjoying roles at some of the most exclusive hotels, including head baker at Cliveden, Chester Grosvenor and The Dorchester.

“Right now baking is cool, it’s funky, it’s rock and roll. It’s all embracing – from ages from five to 95. It involves everyone.

“Everyone seems to be into baking. They are genuinely interested.

“With Bake Off, we have given it a format, a framework.”

Audience members will get a real insight into Paul’s life and career which has seen him become a household name.

From the story of how his father persuaded him to ditch his path as a trained sculptor and join the family baking business; tales of his time as head baker at some of the world’s most exclusive hotels, which lead to him becoming one of the country’s finest artisan bakers.

Yet he insists if he were to give any advice to his younger self, he wouldn’t have his career any other way.

“I’d keep it exactly the way it was. I gave up my youth for the industry. I was up early, I was up late. I dedicated my life to it but I enjoyed it.”

The chef lived in Cyprus for six years, a time he considers to be among the highlights of his career.

“Baking and learning about the social side of the Med was fantastic.

“You don’t get that sort of chance all the time.

“Working there was such a laugh. Back then I was a simple baker trying to earn a crust. Then the TV thing kicked off.

“I had no idea it would take me where it did.”

Audience members will also be given the opportunity to put their own questions to Paul in an open Q&A.

n Paul Hollywood, British Baking Live is at the Lighthouse Poole on Thursday evening.

For more information please call 0844 406 8666 or lighthousepoole.co.uk