Paul Hollywood served up two Hollywood handshakes in first GBBO task

Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood stunned viewers when he offered up two coveted ‘Hollywood handshakes’ in the first task of the first episode of the new series.

As the show debuted on Channel 4, Hollywood gave his highest praise to bakers Sophie and Steven.

The hard-to-please judge was impressed with Sophie’s pineapple and coconut sandwich cake, hailing it as delicious.

The offered hand shocked the baker so much she said: “I’m worried I might have peaked too soon.”

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He also offered his hand out to Steven for his bonfire night cake with toffee apples, which Hollywood described as “beautifully baked.”

Steven was so stunned he said: “When he put his hand out, I thought he was going to hit me.”

Viewers were stunned he was so liberal with his highest praise, with one writing: “Paul needs to calm down with these handshakes. Cant just give away a Hollywood handshake.”

Another wrote: “Hollywood handshakes on episode 1?? What’s going on??”

Another viewer wrote: “Two handshakes already..far too generous for the first episode Paul,” while another said: “2 handshakes already is grade inflation.”

Another viewer was baffled by his generosity, saying: “I thought Paul’s handshake was like a rare golden goose…what is going on? This feels weird.”