Paul Hollywood, Great British Bake Off judge, has admitted to being’mean’ on the next Channel 4 show.
The baker, 57, who is claimed to have just married his girlfriend, 39, said he has reduced back on his golden handshakes, which are only given to those who have created the greatest masterpieces.
Paul revealed that he was ‘always direct’ with the competitors during his time in the white tent, before new host Alison Hammond, 48, added, ‘There were not many handshakes, though, this year.’
Paul agreed, telling Ok Magazine, ‘No, I was nasty with the handshakes.’
Paul’s famed handshakes are much sought after not just by bakers but also by Hollywood celebrities.
In one of the strangest commercials ever, genuine Blake Lively, 36, enlisted Paul – yes, you read that correctly – for a promotion for her alcohol-free beverages, Betty Booze.
Paul teases the Gossip Girl with a handshake after checking out her bubbly concoction, but instead walks right by her for another tinnie. Her anguish is palpable.
Paul’s statement comes just days before the series premieres, and as the new candidates for the next season of GBBO, including the show’s first-ever deaf contestant, have been unveiled.
A student, a vegetable grower, a certified accountant, and a PE instructor round out the cast.
Bake Off has also reportedly undergone a ‘huge revamp’ after the team realised last year’s show ‘didn’t really work’.
‘We’re going to strip it back to basics, with a few twists,’ an insider told the Mirror.
The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
