People gathered in their hundreds – an army of wannabe bakers or perhaps just those who wanted 90 minutes up close and personal with a man who isn’t exactly uneasy on the eye.

And oh, the effort the audience made, with their spangles and lacquered hair dos and dainty tea dresses and little rosebuds in their hair. This was their chance to not only be on stage with the TV chef but show their efforts off, too.

But before four eager participants were invited up to make a plaited loaf against the clock in Generation Game style, Paul showed us how 30 years in the business have honed his baking skills to perfection.

Starting with a deep-filled apple pie, he amazed the capacity theatre with his live pastry making panache, quickly followed by a decadent Black Forest gateau and a lemon & orange couronne.

All the while he kept us entertained with anecdotes abound (his baker father bribed Paul with £500 to cut his waist-length hair and join the family business) and talk of his travels.

While partner in crime Mary Berry wasn’t physically there beside him, he saluted her presence many times, affectionately ribbing her age and baking methods.

Some critics have already called Paul’s live tour ‘smutty’, and by his own admission: “Bake-off is like a Carry On film. You can’t really describe anything without it sounding like an innuendo.”

But the odd comment about crushed nuts and soggy bottoms were eclipsed by him seriously extolling the virtues of revolving cake stands and using whipped egg whites in sponges.

Men, women, teenagers and children had travelled from far and wide to see Mr Hollywood, thinking nothing of having their wallets £30 lighter for the privilege.

Kudos to a man who not only knows his stuff in the kitchen and is generous with his knowledge - he is a natural performer who could have made putting together a scale model of the HMS Victory out of matchsticks look compelling.