The Great British Bake Off fans have raged that ‘it’s far too soon’ after a shocking moment during the series premiere on Tuesday night.
Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith were back for the new series alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, which kicked off as always with Cake Week.
No one was sent packing in the first week – instead two are now at risk in the next instalment – while John was announced as the very first Star Baker of the series.
However, one standout moment from the beginning of the episode saw contestant Illiyin Morrison receive a Hollywood handshake during the very first challenge of the entire season.
The challenge saw the bakers create their own unique versions of a signature loaf cake, with the 31-year-old midwife from Norfolk whipping up a delicious cake inspired by a cinnamon roll.
The Great British Bake Off fans have raged that ‘it’s far too soon’ after a shocking moment during the series premiere on Tuesday night
A standout moment from the beginning of the episode saw contestant Illiyin Morrison receive a Hollywood handshake during the very first challenge of the entire season
After tasting the creation, Paul left the contestants speechless by awarding Illiyin a handshake – the highest praise you can get from the judge, which is usually reserved for much later in the series.
He gushed: ‘Really nice, well done. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful cinnamon cake’.
Fellow judge Prue excitedly added: ‘It tastes exactly like a cinnamon roll’ and Noel Fielding jokingly quipped that she had ‘already won’.
While some viewers were pleased with the gestures, other fans of the beloved baking competition took issue with the early handshake, taking to X to write:
‘Paul giving out handshakes in Week 1 is a joke and devalues the whole point of the handshake #GBBO.’
‘Handshake AND illness in the first episode? This is carnage #GBBO.’
‘Paul Hollywood dishing out a handshake on week 1, task 1 is like Strictly dishing out 8s on dance 1… Wrecking all the benchmarks for the series already min. #GBBO.’
‘A Hollywood Handshake?! In episode 1?! #GBBO.’
The challenge saw the bakers create their own unique versions of a signature loaf cake, with the 31-year-old midwife from Norfolk whipping up a delicious cake inspired by a cinnamon roll
She was left speechless after being given the handshake which he usually reserves for later in the series
While some viewers were pleased with the gestures, other fans of the beloved baking competition found issue with the early handshake
Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith were back for the new series alongside hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding which kicked off as always with Cake Week
When announcing the results Noel said that in fact they would all be going through to the next round
‘Too early for a handshake tbh sorry not sorry #GBBO.’
‘If Paul gives out another handshake before at least week 5 I’m gonna scream #GBBO.’
‘A Hollywood handshake on week one? Surely that’s a record… #GBBO.’
During the debut episode, the 12 contestants had to first make a loaf cake for the Signature Challenge, then they had to recreate a Battenberg for the Technical before heading onto the Showstopper to make an illusion cake.
This year’s bunch includes a fashion designer, paediatric nurse and farm manager who even made the shortlist for Young Farmer of the Year.
But when announcing the results Noel said that in fact they would all be going through to the next round.
It came after Jeff couldn’t complete the last two tasks due to unexpected illness.
The programme also opted for a trendy opening of the series as show hosts Alison and Noel dressed in Barbie theme
For the intro, Alison was dressed in a blonde wig, a pink Marylin Monroe-inspired poodle dress and pink heels
Some viewers were glad they all get another chance to impress, while others branded the decision a ‘cop out’.
The programme also opted for a trendy opening of the series as show hosts Alison and Noel dressed in Barbie theme.
As the camera panned to the duo stood outside the famous white tent, the greenery was set up to resemble a typical Barbie set – complete with a fake swimming pool and a pink lip-shaped couch.
For the intro, Alison was dressed in a blonde wig, a pink Marylin Monroe-inspired poodle dress and pink heels.
Meanwhile Noel looked fabulous in a platinum blonde wig, a pink shirt which he paired with a matching mini skirt and white tights.
Joining in on the Barbie fun, food expert Paul Hollywood looked dashing in a black satin cowboy shirt, which featured a fringe around the chest.
He paired the shirt with a pink bandana, black cowboy boots and white cowboy hat.
Prue Leith commanded attention as she wore a hot pink 80s-inpired dress, a teased blonde wig, yellow printed tights and brown leather boots.
The Great British Bake Off kicked off on September 24 at 8pm on Channel 4