The Great British Bake Off is down to the wire. With only four bakers left fighting for a spot in the finals next week, the challenges are becoming more and more demanding. But the talent does not seem to be dwindling down, at least not in Paul Hollywood's eyes.
In tonight's (November 16) semi-finals episode, the judge surprised viewers and bakers alike by giving away three of his signature handshakes in the same challenge.
It was Patisserie Week and in the signature challenge, the bakers had to wow Paul and Prue Leith with eight identical slices, which Chigs, Crystelle and Giuseppe managed to do easily.
Chigs was the first one to receive top Hollywood honours for his raspberry and chocolate slices, and while he was ecstatic, the achievement seemed to lose significance when Paul also gave a second handshake to Crystelle's yuzu, coconut and black sesame slices and then to Giuseppe's tiramisu.
Jürgen was the only baker who did not receive a handshake as Paul was not convinced by his bake.
However, both Noel and Prue did their best to make him feel better. Noel gave his highly regarded and newly invented double handshake while Prue admitted, "I'd given you one".
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While all the bakers in the semi-finals received a Star Baker at one point or another, Jürgen had received more than anyone at three, so can't be too mad for missing out on a handshake. And he did immediately go on to win the technical challenge.
Fans were left shocked and rooting for Jürgen with one viewer saying: "Jürgen being the only baker not to get a handshake is absolute savagery."
"Why the heck didn't lovely Jurgen get a handshake from @PaulHollywood?" wondered another.
"Hollywood Handshakes everywhere tonight. Dishin em out Willy nilly!!!" and "Three handshakes in one round in one week. Has that ever happened before..." read two more tweets.
In the showstopper challenge, everyone managed to deliver their best creations yet, with Paul calling Crystelle's bake "flawless" and landing her Star Baker for the week.
Unfortunately, it was Jürgen who had to leave the tent and will not be back for the final.
The Great British Bake Off airs on Tuesdays at 8pm Channel 4 in the UK. In the US, it's known as The Great British Baking Show, and streams on Netflix.
