Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has admitted to being annoyed by an element of the upcoming series – his weight gain.
The 55-year-old told the Sunday People he was “[blank]-ed off” after tasting the baking hopefuls’ efforts.
And that’s because his scoffing has seen him put on the pounds and gain nearly a stone.
Paul Hollywood weight frustration
He told the tabloid he had gained 12 pounds during filming for the 2021 series, which begins on Channel 4 next week.
He also admitted to being astounded how his fellow Bake Off judge Prue Leith barely saw a change on the scales.
Read more: Great British Bake Off: Meet the contestants for the new series!
Incredulous, Paul went on to reveal Prue’s weight only increased by a pound during the same period.
He indicated putting on such a small amount while tasting so many baked goodies was “ridiculous”.
‘Lost the lockdown benefit’
It seems Paul was particularly narked because he managed to get much trimmer than usual during lockdown.
His pre-filming fitness regime apparently saw him lose a stone and a half.
I was getting back into old habits.
He explained: “All I wanted to do was go home to try and lose the weight again! I am [blank]-ed off this year for the first time about it, because I was doing really well.”
Paul’s ‘back on it’
Paul reflected: “Lockdown was doing me good, not bad. But my exercise regime changed when I was in Bake Off because I wasn’t allowed to leave the bubble to cycle.”
Bake Off stars, contestants and production crew all bubbled up together in a Hertfordshire hotel during filming to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus.
I know lots of you like to bake a treat to enjoy whilst watching @BritishBakeOff
What will you be baking? #gbbo pic.twitter.com/V7ICW41qWo
— Paul Hollywood (@PaulHollywood) September 18, 2021
But that meant Paul was hampered in not being able to keep up his 10 mile bike rides.
He also spent a lot of his free time in his room working on a book.
Read more: Great British Bake Off 2021 hopeful Freya Cox ‘under attacks’ from vile trolls’
Paul admitted he knew he was not making any further progress with his fitness. But he reckons he has reverted to his lockdown training schedule.
He added: “I was getting back into old habits, so I sort of expected it. Now I’m back on it again. I’ve lost a good couple of pounds this week.”
– The Great British Bake Off 2021 begins on Tuesday September 21 at 8pm on Channel 4.
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