Former Great British Bake Off contestant says Paul Hollywood has 'sweaty hands'

A former Great British Bake Off finalist has revealed what it's really like to receive one of Paul Hollywood's famous handshakes, and it turns out they're not quite as glamorous as they look on TV.

If you've ever watched The Great British Bake Off, you'll know that getting a handshake from Paul Hollywood is a pretty big deal.

The notoriously hard-to-please judge doesn't just dish them out to anyone, with the gesture traditionally reserved for contestants who've managed to seriously impress him with their baking.

For some, receiving one is almost as exciting as being crowned Star Baker, and there have been plenty of emotional reactions in the tent over the years.

According to one former contestant, there's something about Hollywood's handshake that viewers might not have noticed while watching at home.

Ruby was a finalist in the Bake Off tent back in 2018 (Photo by Jamie Simonds/BAFTA via Getty Images)

Ruby Bhogal, who reached the final of the Channel 4 baking competition back in 2018, has revealed that Hollywood's hands are actually rather sweaty.

Speaking to The Independent, the 37-year-old recalled receiving the coveted handshake on several occasions during her time on the programme.

"Him and his sweaty hands!" she laughed.

"I did make a joke about it when I received my first one, I don't think he appreciated that very much."

Well, that's certainly one way to respond to a compliment from one of the country's most famous bakers.

Bhogal was a contestant on the ninth series of Bake Off, where she competed against the likes of Kim-Joy Hewlett and eventual winner Rahul Mandal.

Despite having only taken up baking around a year before entering the competition, she managed to reach the final and was named Star Baker twice along the way.

Her journey into baking was something of an accident, having discovered a cookbook at her parents' house while struggling to find work.

What started as a hobby soon became a career-changing opportunity when her family encouraged her to apply for the show.

By the time she received the call confirming her place in the tent, she had returned to full-time employment as an engineer for Network Rail.

Even she didn't walk away with the trophy, her appearance opened plenty of doors.

Ruby received a handshake for her 'Jackson Pollock' style showstopper (Channel 4)

Since leaving the programme, Bhogal has become a recipe creator, food columnist and television cook, as well as publishing two cookbooks.

Her latest, Around the World in 80 Cakes, takes inspiration from baking traditions across the globe.

But while her own time in the tent is long behind her, she's still keeping a close eye on the competition, particularly following a major shake-up to the judging panel.

Nigella Lawson has joined Paul Hollywood as a judge for the 2026 series, replacing Dame Prue Leith, who stepped down after nine series.

The celebrity cook is appearing alongside returning presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, with a new group of amateur bakers hoping to impress the judges.

Bhogal, who already knows Lawson personally, is excited to see what she brings to the programme.

She described the new judge as a ‘formidable force of great, feminine energy’.

"Nigella gave me a quote for my first book One Bake, Two Ways," she recalled.

"She's kind, humble, but so alpha as well – I can't wait to see her and Paul!"

Ruby made it to the final alongside Kim-Joy and Rahul (Channel 4)

Bhogal also reflected on just how much her life has changed since appearing on the show eight years ago.

The former finalist, who is expecting a baby with her husband, television presenter James Stewart, admitted that stepping into the famous tent had been intimidating, particularly given her relative lack of experience.

However, she credits her competitive nature and willingness to take on feedback for helping her make it all the way to the final.

She also had some advice for the latest batch of contestants when it comes to dealing with the attention that follows appearing on national television.

"Do not Google yourself. Speaking as someone who's done that," she warned.

Despite the pressures that come with appearing on such a popular programme, Bhogal remains grateful for the opportunities and friendships it brought her.

She's still close with former winner Rahul Mandal, while fellow contestant Antony Amourdoux even made an additional cake for her wedding last year.

As for Hollywood, it seems his famous handshake is still something contestants will be desperate to earn.

Although, thanks to Bhogal's warning, they might want to have a towel handy.