Bake Off star tells fans she is 'not grateful' as BBC bosses cancel her show

Daily Mirror

3 hours ago

Nadiya Hussain told fans she is not willing to be 'muzzled like a dog' after publicising the news that she has not been contracted for another cooking show with the BBC
Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain has spoken out after the BBC decided not to commission another of her popular cooking shows, declaring that she is "not grateful" for the career she had.
Nadiya, 40, who rose to fame as the winner of Bake Off's sixth series in 2015, shared her frustrations with the response she has received to being axed by the BBC in a heartfelt Instagram video. The news of her show's cancellation came earlier this month after a successful decade-long working relationship with the broadcaster.
While the star initially thanked her fans for supporting her journey, she is now pushing back against those telling her she should just feel thankful for the time she got in the spotlight.
"I have received tons of messages since talking about my situation with the BBC, messages from people telling me to be grateful for the opportunity and be thankful for how far I've come," Nadiya said.
She pointed out that this is actually not the encouraging message some people think it is, explaining: "Now, my whole life, as a child in an immigrant household, I used to think I had to be grateful all the time because I watched my family, always grateful. Grateful for being let in, grateful for having work, even if underpaid, grateful for safety, even if it meant silence.
"Always grateful, even when I feel tired, lonely, or disrespected. At first, gratitude felt right because it was instilled in me from a young age; it was all I saw. But after a while, it starts to get really heavy. Gratitude became something that I was expected to wear like a uniform.
"Anytime I voiced frustration or sadness or wanted more, I could feel the invisible pressure. Like, how dare you complain? Aren't you lucky just to be here? But here's what I've come to understand."
Nadiya went on to boldly declare: "I am allowed to feel more than just thankful. I am a human being, and I am allowed to feel angry when I'm treated unfairly. I'm allowed to want better for myself and for my family. I'm allowed to speak up. I'm allowed to exist fully. Complex, emotional, hopeful, sometimes critical, just like anyone else.
"So, gratitude has its place, but it shouldn't be a muzzle, like a dog. We didn't come here just to survive; we came here to live, to grow, to contribute, to belong, not as a guest, but as a person who has rights and dreams and dignity, just like everyone else.
"So no, I won't always be grateful, and that doesn't make me ungrateful; it makes me human. That's what it does. I've got here through hard work, through determination, through talent, so no, I won't be grateful. I got here because I'm good at what I do. Just something to think about."
Nadiya has fronted a string of BBC series over the past decade, including Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya's Fast Flavours, and Nadiya's Simple Spices.
The BBC previously confirmed their decision to axe her as a show host, saying: "After several wonderful series, we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment." However, the bosses added that Nadiya "remains a much-valued part of the BBC family" and hinted at the possibility of a future collaboration.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.