He wrote that Hollywood’s car would close to within less than five metres of vehicles ahead, which he described as “wholly inappropriate for the conditions and speed.”
PC McAlpine added: “Once a vehicle moved out of the way having been tailgated until they did so, the driver would then heavily accelerate and travel well in excess of the limit until they reached the next vehicle ahead on the road, at which point they would repeat the process.”
The officer said the motorway was damp and traffic on the M25 was heavy, but Hollywood still reached speeds of around 100mph. After the vehicle moved onto the less busy M26, PC McAlpine said it was “able to achieve higher speeds more consistently.”
He also alleged that Hollywood followed one vehicle at “roughly a mere two metres” while travelling at about 80mph.
According to the officer, he matched the vehicle’s speed and recorded a peak of around 105mph, with the “general road speed” staying above 90mph for an extended period.
Hollywood cited his cat’s illness
After recording the driving on his dash camera, PC McAlpine stopped Hollywood and challenged him over speeding and what he described as aggressive tailgating.
The officer said in his statement: “The driver stated that the reason for their urgency and driving behaviour was transporting an unwell cat.”
Hollywood’s lawyers at Hickman and Rose said he accepted he had been driving too fast.
Peter Csemiczky, a partner at the firm, wrote: “Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast. He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet. He understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions. He understands and accepts that he will be punished.”
A second charge of driving without due care and attention was dropped by police after submissions from his legal team. Hollywood had entered a not guilty plea to that allegation.
How the case was handled
Hollywood did not attend court in person. He was convicted and sentenced on April 27 through the Single Justice Procedure, a private process in England and Wales that allows magistrates to deal with some lower-level offences on the papers.
Court documents show he had no penalty points on his licence at the time he was stopped in January.
His sentencing came in the same week that 374 other motorists across the country were convicted in court for breaking 70mph speed limits, receiving penalty points and fines of up to £1,000.
His motoring history is part of the picture
Hollywood has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off since the show first aired in 2010, becoming one of British TV’s most recognisable food personalities. Away from the tent, he is also known for his interest in cars and has competed in professional races for Aston Martin.
In 2022, he spoke on television about speeding, calling it his “most unappealing habit.”
He said: “I probably drive a little bit too quick. It scares a few people. I took Mary in a car once and she was hitting me with her handbag.”
This time, the consequences were less anecdotal: five points, a fine, and a court conviction on his record.
