Great British Bake Off viewers have a special beef with Paul Hollywood right now, focusing on his handshakes.
The famous chef and TV host has been judging the popular baking show since 2010, and while candidates have done their best to earn his approval with the gesture throughout the years, viewers have had enough.
Paul’s handshakes were formerly scarce and saved for those who genuinely pleased him, but he’s already offered two this season.
Tasha was praised for her ‘delicate and lovely’ marshmallow cookies, and Josh was praised for his show-stopping ‘illusion biscuits’.
While these two may have been pleased to receive Paul’s compliments, those watching at home were clearly not.
As the current episode aired, many fans of the show took to social media to express their feelings.
‘F*** off are we getting Hollywood Handshakes already. It’s too early. Remember when they actually meant something. He gives them out so often now, they’ve lost their meaning,’ one person posted on X, formerly Twitter.
‘Paul Hollywood gives handshakes away too often these days,’ someone else wrote.
Another added: ‘TWO handshakes in an episode??? Paul no.’
One observer remarked that Hollywood was “going soft,” while another said the handshakes were “cringy.”
‘I can’t help it like they’re so overplayed and he always looks at them like yessirree I’m shaking your hand bud!’
After the bakers’ skills continued to rise, Paul stated in 2021 that he was considering discontinuing his practise of awarding handshakes to individuals who impressed him.
‘The problem is if I raise the bar any higher, I just won’t give any handshakes out. I think I’ll stop the handshakes this year. I might make this year the last one,’ he said when speaking to The Mirror.
Keith was sent home on the most recent episode of this season after failing to impress during Biscuit Week.
Despite not progressing farther in the tournament, he took it on the chin and expressed thanks for having participated in the series.
‘I’ve had the most fantastic time,’ he said.
‘I don’t know how many hours I’m going to spend going on about this.’
The Great British Bake Off airs Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
