He was speeding while rushing home to take his “unwell cat to the vet” at the time of the offence.

Hollywood was officially clocked driving at 96mph, but he is thought to have reached speeds of up to 105mph.

The Great British Bake Off judge was a “bully” to other motorists on the M25 by tailgating them at high speeds on January 9, Worthing Magistrates’ Court has heard.

Peter Csemiczky, a partner at Hickman and Rose Solicitors, said: “Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast.

“He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet.

“[Hollywood] understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions.

“He understands and accepts that he will be punished.”

PC Alexander McAlpine of Surrey Police, who was behind Paul’s vehicle in an unmarked police car at the time of the offence, said Hollywood would “repeatedly ‘bully’ other vehicles out of its way, through use of unsafe tailgating”.

Most successful contestants on The Great British Bake Off

He said: “Whenever there was a vehicle ahead, the driver would close up to a follow distance of less than five metres which was wholly inappropriate for the conditions and speed.

“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, to try and ‘push’ any traffic that was in front of them out of the lane, even if they were legitimately overtaking traffic travelling slower in lane three.”

PC McAlpine said he clocked Hollywood’s speed at a “peak” of around 105mph after he had moved onto the M26.

He also said the baker’s “general road speed remained above 90mph for an extended period of time.”

The officer said: “The driver stated that the reason for their urgency and driving behaviour was transporting an unwell cat.”

Mr Hollywood pleaded guilty to speeding and was given five penalty points, a £293 fine, £120 in costs, and a £117 victim surcharge.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention.

Following legal intervention, the allegation was withdrawn.

Recommended reading:

Paul once claimed his former fellow Bake Off judge Dame Mary Berry hit him with her handbag because he was driving too fast.

Speaking on Bake Off spin-off show Extra Slice, 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.”