Yahoo News Bake Off's Paul thinks X Factor's Simon has "gone soft"
The Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood hasn't held back on what he thinks about reality TV rival Simon Cowell.
Talking to Radio Times, Paul spoke about how people have compared him to The X Factor judge, given his often-harsh criticism of bakers when their bakes don't quite live up to his standards.
But he reckons that Simon isn't as formidable as he once was.
"I've seen Simon, and he said, 'They say you're like me'. But I think Simon's gone soft. I'm much stronger than him," Paul claimed.
"Simon bends to the will of the people, and he's become more about the personalities now than actual quality of the voice. Mine's all about the quality of the baking, not the personality."
And Simon wasn't the only one in Paul's sights during the interview as he said Mary Berry, Mel and Sue "abandoned" Bake Off.
"I was the one put under siege. I became the most hated man in the country! It's not fun for someone that doesn't like being in the limelight. I didn't set out to be on the telly, I set out to be a good baker. And I didn't want this," Paul explained.
Unfortunately for him, he has very much been in the spotlight this week as he has separated from his wife Alex.
"It is with sadness that we have decided to separate," they said in a joint statement. "Our focus continues to be the happiness of our son. We ask the press and public to allow us privacy during this very difficult time."
The Great British Bake Off airs a festive special on Channel 4 during the Christmas season.
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