She earned a handshake from the baking maestro in 2016 for her four-tier meringue cake during the seventh series of the Great British Bake Off on BBC.
And newly-engaged GBBO star Candice Brown, 32, was pictured in jovial spirits as she welcomed an ‘intimate kiss’ from married TV judge Paul Hollywood, 51, outside a hotel at the after-party of the Pride of Britain Awards in London earlier this week.
In photos obtained by The Sun, the This Morning baker – who announced her engagement to fiance Liam Macauley last week – was spotted ‘toying’ with Paul’s ear while he leaned in for a friendly kiss at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
Cosy: Newly-engaged GBBO star Candice Brown, 32, was pictured in jovial spirits as she welcomed an ‘intimate kiss’ from married TV judge Paul Hollywood, 51, outside a hotel at the after-party of the Pride of Britain Awards in London earlier this week
A source told the publication that the baking pair were sitting outside the bash, sipping on champagne while Paul – who previously had an affair with his American Baking Competition’s co-star Marcela Valladolid in 2013 – draped a blanket over Candice’s shoulders.
An onlooker said told the publication: ‘Paul and Candice were outside together for hours and obviously had a lot of catching up. They were very relaxed, laughing and chatting.
‘Paul was cracking a lot of jokes which Candice lapped up. He seemed to be paying for all the champagne. There were lots of people inside but Paul and Candice seemed happy enough on their own.
Adding: ‘It raised a few eyebrows that they were cosying up together but people were saying they were the only Bake Off stars there.’
Post-awards: In photos obtained by The Sun , the This Morning baker – who announced her engagement to fiance Liam Macauley last week – was spotted ‘toying’ with Paul’s ear while he leaned in for a friendly kiss at the Grosvenor House Hotel
Spotted: A source told the publication that the baking pair were sitting outside the bash, sipping on champagne while Paul – who previously had an affair with his American Baking Competition’s co-star Marcela Valladolid in 2013 – draped a blanket over Candice’s shoulders
While their friendly appearance turned heads, the GBBO alumni – who’s other halves Alexandra and Liam didn’t seem to attend the soiree – left separately with Paul stepping into a chauffeur-driven car at 1.30am and Candice hailed a taxi, according to The Sun.
MailOnline have contacted Paul Hollywood and Candice Brown’s reps for comment.
Candice’s outing comes after she announced her engagement to Liam Macaulay last Sunday, following one very memorable false alarm.
Sharing the news with HELLO! magazine in a new engagement shoot, the gorgeous baker said she was ‘feeling very lucky’ following an ‘amazing’ year.
Leaving: While their friendly appearance turned heads, the GBBO alumni – who’s other halves Alexandra and Liam didn’t seem to attend the soiree – left separately with Paul stepping into a chauffeur-driven car at 1.30am and Candice hailed a taxi
Winner: The former PE teacher won the seventh series of the Great British Bake Off on BBC
Exciting: Candice’s outing comes after she announced her engagement to Liam Macaulay last Sunday, following one very memorable false alarm
‘I get emotional’ she said. ‘Because it’s been such an amazing year. I feel very lucky. I’ve had such incredible opportunities – GBBO opened so many doors – and to top it off he puts a ring on it.’
And despite prompting speculation of a surprise engagement in late 2016, Candice revealed that the proposal was everything she’d been waiting for.
She told the story of how Liam, who she’s been with since 2012, took them back to the spot where they had their first date in Bedfordshire and pulled a ring from the glove compartment of his car.
Busy girl: The star says that she has had an ‘amazing’ year, which makes her emotional to think about
Candice recalled: ‘He reached into the glove compartment, got out the ring, got down on one knee and said, “I love you, you are my world. Will you marry me?”
Liam continued: ‘So I proposed in a car park. But it really meant something to us. Candice just cried for five minutes before she could say, “Yes!”‘
Candice won Bake Off in 2016, on its former BBC One home, earning a handshake from Paul Hollywood for her four-tier meringue cake and impressing former judge Mary Berry with a ‘humdinger’ of a showstopper.
Something to pout about! Candice shared the news almost a year to the day since winning the Great British Bake Off (here in July)
Meanwhile, it was announced that she joined the line-up for the rebooted Dancing On Ice, which is set to kick off next year.
The baking supremo said of her signing: ‘It’s nerve wracking. I start my training today. I take my first steps on the ice later on. My friends call me Bambi on Ice and that’s just normal day to day!’
The confirmation comes days after in was revealed Love Island star Kem Cetinay, Bucks Fizz songstress Cheryl Baker and Corrie’s Brooke Vincent are all set to star on the show, which came off air in 2013.
Whip up some ice cream: Meanwhile, it was announced that she joined the line-up for the rebooted Dancing On Ice, which is set to kick off next year