A 20-year-old from Buckinghamshire who is competing in this year’s Great British Bake Off was left ‘staggered’ after getting a coveted Paul Hollywood handshake in last night’s episode.

Dylan Bachelet, a skateboarder and retail worker from Bucks, went on an emotional rollercoaster in the series’ third episode on Tuesday night – coming last place in the technical challenge before being named star baker and getting a handshake from judge Hollywood for his ‘surprising’ bread week bake.

The 20-year-old, who has family links to India and Japan, told Channel 4 his love for “experimenting with sweetness and spice” ahead of this year’s series – and his passion served him well last night when Hollywood praised his gochujang and garlic savoury buns as the first time he had been “surprised by a flavour” in ages.

After shaking the celebrity chef’s hand, fellow judge Prue Leith said Dylan looked “positively staggered” and, in a piece-to-camera, he described the experience as “really, really wild”.

While he fell short in the episode’s technical round – coming last in the challenge to create a seven-strand plaited wreath – the Bucks local redeemed himself with is showstopper, a large bread centrepiece with whipped bone marrow and amaretto doughnuts.

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It led to yet another compliment from Hollywood – “You’re a decent bread baker, aren’t you Dylan?” – and to the 20-year-old being named star baker of the week.

The kitchen whiz also reportedly has a deep “curiosity for culture”, spurred by his gap year travels in Southeast Asia alongside a quirky affinity for ‘90s PCs and vintage cars.

As evidenced in his elaborate confections so far, his presentation is also influenced by “beautiful Japanese bakes and the work of French patisserie chefs on social media”.

The Great British Bake Off will return to Channel 4 at 8pm next Tuesday, October 15.