TELLY chef Paul Hollywood poses in Nazi uniform in an image that will shock ­millions of Great British Bake Off fans.

Paul, 51 stunned drinkers by wearing the outfit at a village pub in Kent before heading off to a party.

10 TV chef Paul Hollywood poses in Nazi uniform with pal in Kent pub Credit: The Sun

10 They were joined by wife Alexandra and his pal’s partner — both wearing ’Allo ’Allo!-style French Resistance outfits including berets Credit: The Sun

A source said: “At worst it was extremely offensive. At the very least it was stupid.”

The TV chef smiled as he posed for a snap with a pal, who was also in full German military uniform.

The star was wearing a red swastika armband as part of his outfit.

PAUL EXCUSE Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood claims he was on his way to ‘Allo ‘Allo! party when he wore full Nazi uniform to pub

A source said: “Paul and his mate popped in for a drink and their wives joined them later.

“To them it was a great big joke to be wearing a Nazi uniform, and they were laughing about it and happily posed for a picture at the bar.

“But some found it offensive — especially the fact they thought it was really funny.

10 The photo was taken prior to Paul joining The Great British Bake Off in 2010

“Paul had insignia on the uniform and a whacking great swastika for heaven’s sake.

“They may have been going to a fancy dress party — but what sort of person goes into a pub in German military uniform with a swastika on their sleeve?”

Paul completed his look with a peaked cap, an Iron Cross dangling from a pocket and a badge featuring a white Nazi eagle.

10 Paul Hollywood with BBC colleagues — Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Mary Berry — before the show was moved to Channel 4

The image will shock Paul’s millions of fans. The picture was taken before he joined The Great British Bake Off in 2010, when he was a rising celebrity chef.

The housewives’ favourite was joined in the pub by wife Alexandra, 53, and his pal’s partner — both wearing ’Allo ’Allo!-style French Resistance outfits, including berets.

They all later left to go to a party.

German military historian Robin Schafer said the baker’s swastika cuff band “takes the whole thing on to a different level”.

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Mr Schafer — author of Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire — said: “It’s tasteless and immoral as well as utterly stupid. It would have been worn by a functionary of the Nazi Party. That makes it a lot worse as it’s a political symbol rather than an army uniform.”

In Germany it is a criminal offence to use and wear symbols of the Nazis, including uniforms with swastikas.

Offenders face up to three years in jail or a large fine.

10 The photo of Paul and his wife and friends was taken in the White Stag in the village of Monkton, Kent Credit: Getty - Contributor

It falls under section 86 of the German Strafgesetzbuch (Criminal Code) and Dissemination of Means of Propaganda of Unconstitutional Organizations laws.

It was brought in after World War Two ended.

The shock snap was taken in the White Stag in the village of Monkton, Kent.

Paul was well-known after launching his TV career in 2002 and publishing best-selling book 100 Great Breads in 2005.

10 Paul Hollywood and Bruno Tonioli appearing on the BBC show - Paul Hollywood's Car Nation Credit: BBC

10 Paul getting into his much loved Aston Martin near his home in Kent Credit: Simon Jones - News Group Newspapers

During an episode of BBC genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? in 2015 it emerged that his grandfather Norman Harman served as a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft gunner in World War Two.

Our source added: “That’s another reason he should have known better.”

Paul’s outfit has echoes of the Prince Harry “Nazi” storm in January 2005 when the young prince was criticised after The Sun pictured him wearing a shirt altered to look like a German uniform, and a swastika armband to a party.

10 During a Who Do You Think You Are? episode Paul discovered his grandfather Norman Harman served as a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft gunner in World War Two Credit: The Sun

10 Paul and The Great British Bake Off now appears on Channel 4 with Noel Fielding, Sandi Toksvig, and Prue Leith Credit: Channel 4

10 The first episode of this series drew an audience of 6.5million Credit: PA

There is no suggestion that Paul or anyone else in these pictures has any sympathy with the Nazi Party.

Bake Off recently switched to Channel 4 where Paul and new colleagues Prue Leith, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig drew an audience of 6.5million to its first episode.