Great British Bake Off viewers were stumped after Paul Hollywood seemingly broke the "golden rule" for judging that he's been using for the last eight seasons.

The nail-biting semi-final saw the last four contestants tasked with creating a series of patisserie-themed treats, including a series of choux buns and a meringue showstopper. Paul was heard telling co-judge Prue, as well as Sandy and Noel, that the competition was so close they had to consider the contestants' bakes produced in previous weeks to pick who would be leaving. The baking series normally sees the contestants judges on their  creations from the week. But longtime judge Paul shook up the standard format on Tuesday when he was faced with the "hardest decision" in the eight years he's been on the show. https://twitter.com/BritishBakeOff/status/922932843906584576 He explained:

“Initially we have to have a look at this weekend closely and if that has still not drawn any obvious answers, it is so close, than yes you look back retrospectively on the whole series. "It has only happened a couple of times.”

Prue added:

"We just don’t want to make the wrong decision.”

As the judges returned to the tent, Hollywood addressed the contestants:

“I just wanted to say before you hear results, it’s been the hardest decision that I’ve been involved with in eight years.”

They then decided to send home Stacey, who they named Star Baker  just one week ago - which led to some very unhappy viewers. https://twitter.com/CarolineReed/status/922919169430917121 https://twitter.com/ishipfartoomuch/status/922918208075530241 https://twitter.com/richtaylz/status/922919121242615809 https://twitter.com/RedOwl14/status/922919098480082944 https://twitter.com/murphy_lizzie/status/922967119247142912 https://twitter.com/RhiannH94/status/922919912405737472   The former teacher struggled on choux bun task after she ran out of time while decorating them, which ultimately factored into her losing her place. Following her exit, Stacey said:

“So close. I am pleased that I have gone out on a high, it was a really, really difficult decision for them. "I can go back to being a good mum, so it’s ok. "I could have waited another week, but it’s fine, it’s fine.

https://twitter.com/BritishBakeOff/status/922919860069437445

"It was a mixture of emotions for me. "I felt I had done so well to get so close to the final, but also sort of relieved that I would be leaving the tension of the competition. "At the beginning of the episode I said that if this is the end of the road for me, then I am leaving happy."