Paul Hollywood, famed for his signature handshake on the Great British Bake Off, has found that his gesture has not only become a staple of the baking competition but also a topic of conversation among Hollywood celebrities.

The judge began offering handshakes as a sign of approval for contestants' creations, and this act has since become an integral part of the show for both viewers and participants.

During his appearance on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on Sunday, December 29, he revealed the extent of the reaction his handshake has garnered. Even actress Blake Lively, wife of Hollywood star and owner , has mentioned it on social media. Paul summarised the response as "a bit over the top".

He explained to Alan: "For me it was just a 'well done'. It's excitement for me - I love baking and when I see something that I like it's like 'fantastic, you've done a really good job.' People like the Hollywood stars, Blake Lively, who's Ryan Reynold's wife, was doing a bake on her cc'd me in and said 'I hope Paul Hollywood likes this and I get a handshake'," reports .

He added: "So I sent an emoji of a handshake to her and she came back and repeated it and put it on her site and everyone was like 'Paul Hollywood's given you a a handshake'. I just find it all a bit over the top."

Paul chatted about his time on the Bake Off set during the Sunday morning chat, ahead of the Hogmanay special airing on Channel 4 this Friday, January 3. The baking maestro didn't hold back in expressing his admiration for both his current co-judge Prue Leith and predecessor Mary Berry.

He shared: "I'm very fond of the two Dames. I found them both unbelievable to work with, they taught me a lot as well and I just love spending time with them. The difference I suppose is I'd have a gin with Prue and a glass of white wine with Mary at the end of the day. How lucky am I to spend time with these people because they're fantastic chefs and I have a lot of respect and time for them."

Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh is on ITV Sundays at 9.30am and on ITVX