I can't get those Richard Bertinet star shapes *sob* help

I have so far only been baking white loaves which have turned out much better after learning the slap and fold method.  I decided to try his poppy seed star shaped bread but I just couldn't get the shape.  I made them into little round shapes first, following his recipe.  But at the part where I had to cut through it to make three cuts, the dough just joined up again instead of staying apart.  So, forcing the cuts apart, I ended up making rings instead of stars.  What am I doing wrong?

i am still quite new to baking bread.  And this site has been a wonderful help, I have learnt so much.  Thank you to everyone!!!  It has been about just a month of baking bread at home and I feel like I can't bring myself to buy supermarket bread again!