Blake Lively ‘Texts’ to Chat About Family Life with Ryan Reynolds, SaysGreat British Baking ShowHost Paul Hollywood

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Hollywood; Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage; Cindy Ord/Getty

Samir Hussein/WireImage; Cindy Ord/Getty

The Great British Baking ShowhostPaul Hollywoodis opening up about his friendship withBlake LivelyandRyan Reynolds.

In an interview with U.K. newspaperThe Timespublished on Monday, Dec. 30, Hollywood, 58 — whostarred in a 2023 commercialfor Lively’s canned cocktail brand Betty Booze — said the pair had remained in touch ever since.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Blake. She texts occasionally, sort of to catch up on what she’s been up to, what Ryan’s up to," Hollywood told the outlet.

“It’s lovely, because regardless of their job, they’re just a normal family, mom and dad to some great kids,” he added, referencing their four children; daughtersJames, 10,Inez, 8, andBetty, 5, plus sonOlin, 1.

“They’re really nice people. I like that communication. I don’t have many friends who are celebrities, it’s not me. I don’t go to a lot of red-carpet stuff. I don’t go to the parties up in London. I don’t like London,” the celebrity baker continued, perThe Times.

Paul Hollywood and Blake Lively in the 2023 Betty Booze commercial.Courtesy of Betty Booze

Courtesy of Betty Booze

Hollywood has previously posed with Lively and Reynolds formultiple snaps shared to social mediafrom the famousBaking Showtent.

In July, he posted a photo of Reynolds posing next to him while wearing hisDeadpoolsuitduring a visit to the famous outdoor kitchen.

“Yea he’s tall and I’m not ! @vancityreynolds but looking forward to seeing the newDeadpoolmovie…” Hollywood wrote at the time, referencingDeadpool & Wolverine’s summer release.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Hollywood’s interview was conducted before it was reported thatLively had filed a complaintaccusing director and actorJustin Baldoni, 40,of sexual harassment on the set ofIt Ends with Us.

In the complaint — which came months afterrumors of a feud between the costarsswirled — the actress outlined dozens of allegations against Baldoni (who starred in, produced and directed the film), as well as members of the movie’s production team and the individuals said to be involved in the alleged smear campaign against her.

In a statement given toThe New York Times, Lively said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds; Justin Baldoni.Taylor Hill/WireImage; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Taylor Hill/WireImage; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has sincespoken to PEOPLEabout his client’s impending lawsuit against Lively, saying, “This is not a response or countersuit — it’s a deliberate pursuit of truth.”

Freedman, a veteran Hollywood lawyer, also claimed that Baldoni’s filing would “expose” falsities in Lively’s complaint.

A representative for Lively did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Dec. 29.

source: people.com