Paul’s cafe is no showstopper!

HE is famed for his caustic criticisms of contestants’ confections in the Bake Off tent.

But Paul Hollywood has been hit by withering feedback of his own. His first bakery outlet has proved less than a showstopper, receiving terrible online reviews from customers and even calls for it to close.

Knead Bakery and Cafe, at Euston Station in London, has been given only 2.5 stars out of five on ratings site TripAdvisor. One disgruntled visitor claimed it served ‘the worst food in the south of England’. Customers complained of ‘revolting’ and overpriced food, small portions, chaotic service and poor hygiene – some shared photos of dirty tables and floors.

Of 31 reviews on TripAdvisor, 20 rate it ‘poor’ or ‘terrible’, leaving the supposedly upmarket bakery ranked 296th out of 30 in London. One customer said Hollywood’s cafe was ‘the biggest scandal to hit London since MPs’ expenses’. Another titled their review ‘Frankly don’t go to Hollywood’.

The cafe opened in November and offers sandwiches, pies and pastries, including sausage rolls sold by the inch and a £3. 5 bacon butty.

Knead is also awarded just 2.2 out of five on Google Reviews.

Customers complained of overcooked eggs and being charged an extra 25p for sauce. A representative for Hollywood did not respond to a request for comment last night.