Far too soon’ rage Great British Bake Off fans as they slam shock Paul Hollywood moment in first episode

GREAT British Bake Off fans were left raging after a shock Paul Hollywood moment in the latest episode.

With 12 new amateur bakers looking to impress, a surprise moment saw one earn Paul Hollywood's approval very early on.

Illiyin Morrison, a midwife from Norfolk, proved to be a standout in the first challenge.

Cake Week saw the line-up bake elevated versions of their signature loaf cakes.

In Illiyin's case, hers was inspired by a cinnamon rolll.

Upon inspection, Paul awarded Illiyin with the first "Hollywood Handshake" of the new series.

He told her: "Really nice, well done. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful cinnamon cake."

Prue exclaimed: "It tastes exactly like a cinnamon roll!"

While later, presenter Noel Fielding joked to the contestant that she'd "already won".

However, the judge's gesture divided viewers watching at home.

One person wrote on X: "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."

Another added: "Paul Hollywood giving out a handshake in the very first bake of week 1. The games gone."

While a third commented: "Paul Hollywood handshake first bake? Yeah I love her already."

Meanwhile, the episode was thrown into chaos after a baker was forced to drop out mid-way through.

Jeff, a former university lecturer originally from The Bronx, now lives in West Yorkshire with his wife.

However, he ended up having to sit out the latter part of the episode due to illness.

A show source revealed: "The baker was gutted to miss out on the second day but they weren't feeling up to it and so they had to sit it out."

Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4 at 8pm.