Paul Hollywood admits he’s handed out too many ‘well done’ handshakes on Bake Off and promises they’ll ‘almost stop’ as competition gets harder
The master baker, 52, has faced backlash for giving them out "all over the shop" this year
PAUL Hollywood has admitted to giving out too many handshakes on The Great British Bake Off.
The master baker, 52, has been criticised by viewers for awarding the honour several times an episode, but has now promised they "almost stop" as the series progresses.
The gesture has become a top honour in the tent over the years, with Paul awarding them to bakes he feels are perfect.
However he has faced backlash for giving them out "all over the shop" this year, causing him to defend himself on The Jonathan Ross Show.
Assuring that each one on the 2018 series has been deserved so far, he said: "The handshake came from when they looked very professional and they almost cross that line from being amateur to professional.
“It started in series two, I just shook someone’s hand and said, 'Well done.' And every year the standard has got better and better and better and this year has been phenomenal.
"Some of the flavours they are bringing out. Rahul’s stuff has been incredible."
When asked about the furore around them , he said: "You will see it happen in a few weeks, the handshakes almost stop.
"Because what I’ve done is I’ve realised they are all moving up in standard so I’ve got to move my barrier up, so that’s exactly what I do. I raise the bar and then no one gets over the top of it."
The contestants will be tackling pastry on Tuesday after last week's dramatic episode saw two bakers eliminated.
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Fan favourites Terry and Karen were sent home after failing to impress with their ginger cakes, mamools and spiced biscuit chandeliers.
Terry left viewers in tears upon his departure, after admitting the show has helped ";fill a void" in his life following the death of his wife.
The next episode will also see the return of judge Prue Leith, who missed last week's Showstopper Challenge due to illness.
The Jonathan Ross Show airs tomorrow night on ITV at 10.05pm
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