Everyone Was Floored By Paul’s ‘Double Handshake’ On GBBO Last Night

*APPROACH WITH CAUTION! SPOILERS BELOW*

Last night’s Great British Bake Off final gathered record viewing figures for the BBC, as millions tuned in for the last episode of the series, and indeed the last episode of the show as we know it. From next year GBBO will move to Channel 4, losing Marry Berry, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc in the process.

It was certainly a tense final, with the three bakers building meringue crowns, recipe-less Victoria Sponges and pastry-stuffed picnics in their quest for the top spot. While Candice and her strong lips walked away with the GBBO crown, her fellow contestant Jane won something else: the rarely-seen Paul Hollywood Double Handshake.

The handshake is the third tier of Paul Hollywood acceptance just behind “pat on the back” and “Ark Of The Covenant” #GBBO

— Tom Campbell (@TomCampbell) October 26, 2016

Paul’s been known to dole out single handshakes for rare perfect bakes, and there were a few this series. Selasi and his Yorkshire puddings knew that joy:

First Hollywood handshake on #GBBO goes to @selasigb for his crackling filled Yorkshires on #BatterWeek pic.twitter.com/z9XpUzUvTT

— Great British Chefs (@gbchefs) September 14, 2016

As did Tom and his biscuits:

And the first Hollywood handshake of the week on #GBBO goes to @Tom_gilliford Well done #BiscuitWeek pic.twitter.com/ZWZ3rZGVgQ

— Great British Chefs (@gbchefs) August 31, 2016

Candice even got one for her meringue crown last night:

After tasting Jane’s Signature Challenge though, the usually narky Paul went one further, giving her what Sue dubbed “the Roman Clasp”: a TWO-HANDED grasp. 

Jane has been given the Paul double handshake, meaning she will be the winner #GBBO

— Skellenton C Scott (@EllenCScott) October 26, 2016

Mel and Sue’s analysis of Paul’s single handshake or the Roman clasp. I love those two #GBBO

— Ⓢⓐⓥⓐⓖⓔ Ⓙⓞⓢⓗ (@joshsavage) October 26, 2016

Needless to say, Twitter went mental, not least because it was clear Candice was just a tad put out.

Did Candice just throw shade at Jane about the handshake?? #GBBO

— susieqhw (@susieqhw) October 26, 2016

Seeing Candice raging at Jane’s handshake is, I think, my favourite moment this series. lol. #GBBO #GBBOFinal

— LornAHH Robertson (@poppinses) October 26, 2016

Despite winning the Technical Challenge, Andrew was left ENTIRELY handshake-less, which didn’t go unnoticed:

ANDREW DIDN’T GET A HANDSHAKE BUT WON TECHNICAL IT TRULY IS ANYBODY’S GAME #GBBO

— ghost lilley (@LilliesForGrace) October 26, 2016

You just know that in 15 years, Andrew is going to wake up in the middle of the night dwelling over the handshake FOREVER #GBBO

— Erin Niimi Longhurst (@ErinNiimi) October 26, 2016

Who knew a handshake could spark such heated debate?

Tags:

• #gbbo
• great british bake off