Paul Hollywood has reportedly struck a six-figure deal to star in Compare the Market TV adverts.

The Great British Bake Off star, 58, will appear in the site's latest campaign where he will use his surname as a pun to promote their 2-4-1 cinema tickets offer. 

A source told The Sun: 'This is particularly surprising given that the Bake off judge very rarely lends his name to anything or takes part in campaigns.

'But the meerkat ads are well-liked and he thought the way they were going to use him was funny and clever.

'And Paul is an international star worthy of an international campaign because Bake Off has made him a famous face around the world.'

Paul Hollywood has reportedly struck a six-figure deal to star in Compare the Market TV adverts

The Great British Bake Off star, 58, will appear in the site's latest campaign where he will use his surname as a pun to promote their 2-4-1 cinema tickets offer

Paul is in good comapny as the likes of Nicole Kidman, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Macaulay Culkin have all appeared in the ads before. 

Compare the Market is best known for their Comapre the Meerkat ad campaign featuring the anthropomorphic Russian meerkat Aleksandr Orlov and his catchphrase 'Simples'.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Paul Hollywood for comment. 

Paul will return as a judge once more on The Great British Bake Off when it returns to Channel 4 this summer.

He has been a judge on the hit TV show since it started in 2010, co-hosting firstly with Dame Mary Berry and then Dame Prue Leith.

The star was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle for his services to baking and broadcasting on Wednesday.

Paul, who was joined by family members including his mother Gill and received his honour from the Princess Royal, said he would love for the Prince and Princess of Wales to appear on the show.

Speaking after the ceremony, Paul said being made an MBE had left him feeling 'very proud', but he wished his nan had been alive to witness it.

A source said: 'This is particularly surprising given that the Bake off judge very rarely lends his name to anything or takes part in campaigns'

Paul will return as a judge once more on The Great British Bake Off when it returns to Channel 4 this summer

He explained: 'I was over the moon. When I (first found out) I told my mum and she was silent on the phone, which is quite unusual for my mum.

'I wish my nan had seen it. She was very fond of the royal family, as we all are.

'But specifically she would've been over the moon. But my mum was here today so she was loving it.'

When asked which royal he would pick to compete in the Bake Off tent, Paul said: 'I think I'd go for Kate and Will - they'd be more than welcome!' 

He later spoke of Princess Anne, who presided over the ceremony, and said that he had previously met her before at Buckinham Palace.

Paul was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle for his services to baking and broadcasting on Wednesday

He said: 'I've always been fond of the Princess Royal.

'I met her a few years ago at Buckingham Palace when the (then) Duke of Edinburgh wasn't very well. We were all with members of the royal family and I just happened to be there with Princess Anne. So to see her again today was fantastic.

'She did say "baking is so integral to the DNA of us all. We love the smell". And I said "absolutely, I grew up with the smell".

'I think she's particularly fond of Chelsea buns. I promised her some, so I put myself on the spot there.'

When asked if the royal family were fans of the show, Paul confessed they were 'fully aware of (it), yes.'