star has hit back at the notion that showed him ‘favouritism’ in the tent, stating that people can ‘say what you like’.
On last night’s episode, Matt – who typically hosts the programme with – stepped in to take part in the celebrity charity special for Stand Up To Cancer alongside Ed Gamble, Example and Annie Mac after another star dropped out at the last minute.
While the Little Britain star was making glass window biscuits, judge after coming over to check on him, before the contestant later received a coveted Paul Hollywood handshake during his critique.
Paul’s decision to lend a helping hand to Matt left comedian Ed astonished, while also leading to claims of ‘favouritism’ shown by the judge towards the former Les Misérables star.
Matt responded directly to an article on Twitter addressing the ‘favouritism row’, saying that he ‘doesn’t care’ what people have to say.
‘Say what you like. I don’t care. I got a Hollywood Handshake and I won the Technical,’ he tweeted.
The 48-year-old added: ‘Plus I know where they keep the Star Baker aprons so I’m going to take one anyway. Plus I’m an icon and a national treasure.’
While Paul may have helped Matt slightly when kneading his biscuits, you can’t deny that all his time spent in the Bake Off tent may have helped the comedian pick up some useful culinary skills.
Plus, as Example explained in the tent, Matt competed with very little notice after another celebrity dropped out, with the rapper saying: ‘I think fair play to him as a lot of people will think maybe he wanted to do this and he didn’t want to do it as he had no preparation.’
After receiving his handshake from the judge, Matt remarked that Paul’s hands ‘feel a bit coarse, like a builder’s, but there’s truth and love and honesty in there’.
Only a few people in the world – now Matt included – know what a Paul Hollywood handshake feels like.
In the end, Example was the one who was named star baker over his fellow competitors by Paul and Prue Leith.
This year’s batch of Celebrity Bake Off stars, aside from those in last night’s episode, includes Sir Mo Farah, singer Ellie Goulding. Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse, Taskmaster creator Alex Horne, TV presenter Emma Willis and choirmaster Gareth Malone.
Also putting their baking skills to the test are actor and author Ben Miller, The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison and TV and radio presenter Clara Amfo.
Finally, the line-up also includes Coronation Street actor Katherine Kelly, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, writer and comedian Mawaan Rizwan, TV personality Ruby Wax, presenter Sophie Morgan, Friday Night Dinner star Tracy-Ann Oberman and musician Yung Filly.
Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer 2022 returns Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4 and is available to watch on All 4.
