Prue Leith has come to the defense of her colleague, Paul Hollywood, against claims of being “horrible” on The Great British Bake Off. The duo shared insights from the renowned tent at Welford Park in Berkshire, shedding light on their public perceptions on the Channel 4 show.
As a South African-born restaurateur, Prue highlighted the contrasting views audiences have of them, portraying her as “kind” and Paul as “horrible.” Despite this, she emphasized that their judging styles are quite similar when it comes to scoring the bakes.
Discussing their interactions in Cake Corner, Prue revealed that their discussions aim to inform and remind viewers as they could easily evaluate the bakes swiftly. She mentioned that despite the audience perceiving her as kind and Paul as harsh, their scoring patterns remain closely aligned.
In an interview with Radio Times magazine, Prue mentioned her minimal use of high scores, noting that she rarely gives perfect scores and humorously mentioned forgetting the recipients of those rare top marks.
Regarding the infamous handshakes on the show, Paul clarified that he has never awarded a perfect score of 10, reserving that for exceptional bakes. He explained the significance of his handshake as indicating a high level of professionalism from the amateur bakers.
Prue added that while Paul may initially resist offering handshakes, his admiration for outstanding bakes often leads to spontaneous displays of appreciation. She also introduced the concept of her own version, the “Prue pat.”
In a separate incident, it was revealed that Paul displayed a more compassionate side off-camera when consoling a contestant after a baking mishap. Despite the on-air critique, his supportive actions behind the scenes showcased a different aspect of his personality.
The heartfelt gesture from Paul towards the distressed contestant highlighted a lesser-known aspect of his character, emphasizing his empathy and understanding in challenging moments.
Catch The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Channel 4 on Friday, October 24, from 8 pm to 9 pm.