Prue Leith has come to the defense of her co-judge, Paul Hollywood, regarding his perceived negative image on The Great British Bake Off. Chatting from the iconic tent at Welford Park in Berkshire, the Bake Off judges shed light on their roles and how fans of the Channel 4 show view them differently. Prue, a renowned South African-born restaurateur, highlighted the contrast in public perception, with herself seen as “kind” and Paul as “harsh”, despite their scoring methods being quite similar.
The culinary expert revealed that their discussions in Cake Corner aim to “educate and remind” viewers, as in reality, Prue and Paul could swiftly evaluate the bakes. According to Prue in an interview with Radio Times magazine, while audiences often label her as kind and Paul as stern, their scoring rarely differs by more than one point. She humorously mentioned giving only one perfect score in nine years but couldn’t recall the recipient.
Addressing a previous statement, Prue expressed a shift in perspective after facing criticism for appearing judgmental towards cake enthusiasts. Paul shared his grading approach, emphasizing that a handshake from him is akin to a near-perfect score, recognizing the contestants’ amateur status.
Prue disclosed Paul’s occasional reluctance to give handshakes, only to succumb to the temptation when faced with exceptional bakes. She also hinted at her own version, the “Prue pat”. In a separate incident, Paul, a fixture on the show since 2010, exhibited a compassionate side off-camera, offering comfort to a contestant who faced a baking disaster.
The contestant, Briony May Williams, recounted receiving a heartfelt gesture from Paul, who consoled her during a challenging moment on the show. She mentioned receiving a supportive “Hollywood hug” when struggling with her failed showstopper, highlighting Paul’s unexpected kindness.
For more baking insights and entertainment, don’t miss The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice airing on Channel 4 on Friday, October 24, from 8 pm to 9 pm.