They hit headlines after they shared a cosy embrace at the Pride Of Britain Awards in 2017.
But Candice Brown and Paul Hollywood appeared to laugh off their kiss as they reunited for The Great Festive Bake Off special on Channel 4 on Tuesday, which saw 2017 finalist Steven Carter-Bailey win the show.
The judge, 52, branded GBBO's 2016 winner, 34, 'brave' for returning to the show a year on from their steamy display, which took place when Candice was newly-engaged to now-husband Liam Macaulay, and Paul was married to wife Alexandra.
Awkward! Candice Brown (L) and Paul Hollywood (R) reunited for The Great Festive Bake Off special on Channel 4 on Tuesday, a year on from their kiss at the Pride Of Britain Awards
While introducing the stollen task, Paul described Candice as 'brave' as she tackled to be crowned winner for the special against Steven, 35, 2015's runner-up Tamal Ray, 32, and 2014 contestant Kate Henry, 41.
Poking fun at the kiss, the brunette responded: 'Coming back on the show was brave and stupid... they said they weren't going to bring it up!'
The pair appeared to mock their smooch further into the episode when Candice introduced her 'wear more lipstick cake' for the 3D New Year's resolution task.
Paul, Noel Fielding, 45, Sandi Toksvig, 60, and Prue Leith, 78, burst into laughter as the This Morning star revealed her inspiration behind the sweet treat was over her 'lack of lipstick'.
Friendly: The judge, 52, branded GBBO 's 2016 winner, 34, 'brave' for returning to the show a year on from their steamy display
Victory: 2017 finalist Steven Carter-Bailey beat out Candice as he was crowned winner of the festive special
Competitive: Winner Steven, 35, and former P.E. teacher Candice competed against 2015's runner-up Tamal Ray (far left), 32, and 2014 contestant Kate Henry, 41 (second from left)
Juicy: The pair appeared to mock their kiss further into the episode when Candice introduced her 'wear more lipstick cake' for the 3D New Year's resolution task
Fans also took to Twitter to comment on their first TV appearance since her win in 2016, with some branding the pair 'flirty': 'This is basically a programme of Candice and Paul flirting and it's making me want to vom'. [sic]
Another penned: 'Well we all know Candice is gonna win.. Paul is still a judge! #GBBO #weknowwhathappened.'
Another wrote: 'So funny watching Paul and candice acting all casual but we all know what happened between ya’ll #GBBO.'
'Paul seeing Candice again. #GBBO', a third tweeted, alongside a funny meme of the celebrity chef pulling a cheeky smirk.
Romance: The kiss took place when Candice was newly-engaged to now-husband Liam Macaulay (pictured together), and Paul was married to estranged wife Alexandra
Split: In the same month, Paul and his wife, Alexandra, announced that they were separating after nearly 20 years of marriage in a joint statement
Paul raised eyebrows with a farewell kiss with the former contestant after a night in November 2017.
In the pictures, he cupped the back of Candice's head as he kissed her goodbye following a night out at the Grosvenor House Hotel event.
Candice, who announced her engagement to beau Liam the previous week, was also