Paul Hollywood, 58, blasted by disgruntled neighbours after star spooks peaceful village with new helicopter
Paul Hollywood has left his neighbours unhappy with his new machine
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Bake Off star Paul Hollywood recently forked out on a Robinson Raven helicopter which he has been landing on a strip of land between his farmhouse and the local pub of Smarden - but his neighbours are not happy.
The star is said to be keeping the chopper at Manston airport rather than the nearby Headcorn Aerodrome as he continues to work towards his pilot licence.
The 58-year-old must complete 45 hours of flight instruction consisting of 25 hours of dual flight instruction and 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least five hours of solo cross-country before he can obtain the license.
Hollywood began training to become a pilot two years ago in a bid to escape the "madness" of his celebrity life - being known for his "Hollywood handshake".
At the time he began his journey, he said: "It's just you, a machine, and you're away from all the madness. Of course, I'm a bit nervous. But up there you've got total freedom."
However, there have been growing concerns among the locals of Smarden that his plans to use the helicopter to travel to the Bake Off site for filming could cause an untold amount of disturbance.
According to the Daily Mail, his neighbours have not been left pleased with the TV star's latest toy, and have complained that the noise has left them "startled" and "spooked" their horses.
Resident Sue Keys, 72, claimed she thought Hollywood was flying "too low" and told the publication: "You certainly hear him when he's overhead, there's a lot of aircraft noise anyway what with us being so close to Headcorn airfield.
"He's been using the helicopter for the last three months or so and when he first started I'd be thinking to myself 'What's that? He's a bit low' and it'd give me a bit of a startle but I've got used to it now."
Another neighbour added: "We have horses so when the helicopter comes in on certain days they get a bit spooked and don't like it. But having said that, we live in a noisy spot.
Paul Hollywood has worked on The Great British Bake Off since 2010
PA
"There's an airfield around the back of us from which Spitfires fly out from, other helicopters and aircraft come flying across over the fields. The road is busy during rush hour and there's a busy pub opposite."
Not all of Hollywood's neighbours have an issue with his latest antics, as one shared: "I actually like seeing him flying over, it's quite exciting. It makes a change from all the old spitfires that roar over the house."
Despite Hollywood splashing out on the helicopter, it more than likely wouldn't have made a dent in his finances, as he reportedly banked more than £14million last year.
The 58-year-old has been a judge on the Channel 4 show since 2010, with The Mirror reporting that he was receiving roughly £270,000 a week, making him one of the UK's best-paid TV stars.
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Paul Hollywood was awarded an MBE last year
PA
According to accounts for the company HJP Media LLP that handles his earnings, Paul enjoyed his most lucrative year ever.
In May it was revealed that Hollywood and his wife Melissa have put more than £80,000 of their own cash into trying to save her family's pub - having plans to turn it into a home.
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