Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood reveals major show shake-up after better bakers complaint

The Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has revealed a major shake-up to the show, which he has introduced to keep up with the increasing number of Hollywood Handshakes

Inflation's bite is felt across the board, and it seems not even the beloved Great British Bake Off can escape its grasp. But for judge Paul Hollywood, the worry isn't just about the soaring prices of ingredients; it's the ever-improving quality of the contestants' bakes.

"The standard has got better, and based on that alone, that's why you'll probably find more handshakes," he told Netflix's Tudum. The Cheshire-born baking star has observed a year-on-year rise in baking prowess, prompting him to dish out his famed handshakes more frequently – something he admits to finding slightly annoying as it keeps pushing expectations higher.

To counter this, Hollywood has cooked up a new accolade – the "Paul Pat" – a nod of recognition for those who fall just short of earning his coveted handshake. This pat on the back made its debut during Bread Week this year when Carmarthenshire's Georgie received it for her Chelsea buns.

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Reflecting on the moment, Paul remarked: "When I saw Dylan's, then that was the benchmark that I was looking for. She was close. I knew, I glanced across, and I did see Dylan's coming, and I was like, 'Oh God, no, this is close but no biscuit.'"

Hollywood also cherishes memorable bakes from past seasons, such as Ryan's key lime pie from Season 3, and this season, he was particularly taken with Dylan's gochujang buns, reports Wales Online.

He also fondly recalls the moment in Bake Off's eighth season when Hermine's salmon quiche left him lost for words: "I was really hungry, and I tried it and went, 'Oh wow, I've got to have it. No one touch that. That's my lunch'."

Interestingly, the iconic Hollywood Handshake didn't make an appearance until the show's third series, with Ryan Chong being the first recipient in episode seven. The gesture was used sparingly in the early seasons, with just one in Season Four, two in Season Five, and three in Season Six.

However, after the show's move to Channel 4, the handshakes became more frequent, with seven in Season Eight and a remarkable 12 in Season Nine. Only time will tell if this trend will continue.

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