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Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Bake Off legend claims she's been dropped by the BBC after 10 years on TV
Former Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain has claimed that the BBC have 'dropped' her after 10 years. The star, 40, rose to fame after winning the baking competition's sixth series, back when it still aired on BBC One, and featured Mary Berry as a judge next to last man standing Paul Hollywood. Since her 2015 win, Nadiya has become the most recognisable of the competition's winners, launching a series of cooking shows, TV appearances and cookbooks. These shows included Nadiya's Simple Spices, Nadiya's Everyday Baking, Nadiya's Cook Once, Eat Twice and more. However, her journey appears to have hit a 'turning point,' with the celebrity chef describing her reaction as the broadcaster decided not to commission her latest project. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Addressing her fans in an emotional Instagram video post, Nadiya spoke of the 'trajectory of change' she's been on recently, and her feeling that as a Muslim woman, she isn't always supported by the industry. In the caption to the five-minute-long video, Nadiya wrote: 'Just a hello from me! Thank you to everyone for being on this journey with me, and I hope you can continue to stay on this journey with me. It wouldn't be what ibe (sic) is if it were not for you guys.' She went on to describe what had happened between herself and the BBC, revealing that 'there will be no more cookery show.' 'The BBC have decided that they didn't want to commission a show. And for me, that was a huge turning point because it's something I've done for the past 10 years. 'It was huge because I was already on this steady trajectory of change and I was thinking about where I wanted my career to go, and when the BBC decided they didn't want to commission the show anymore, it really did kind of solidify everything for me, and it made me dig my heels in and think 'OK, I know where I want to be.'' She continued: 'As a Muslim woman, I work in an industry that doesn't always support people like me or recognise my talent or full potential. 'There's a lot of gaslighting, making me feel like what's actually happening isn't happening.' She went on to say how she wanted to go on and 'work with people who believe in voices of people like me. Stories of people like me. I'm working some new things which I'm excited to tell you guys about.' In the comments below Nadiya's post, her followers shared messages of love, support and dismay at the BBC's decision. 'Thank you for using your platform and speaking up. You're not alone in this 🍉❤️' wrote maxlamanna. 'Start your own channel Nadiya. You don't need the beeb,' commented dublindeed. 'Adored you from the first moment you appeared on TV. Keep pushing for what you believe in, live your most authentic life. That is all that matters 💕' said sarahalicefloral. 'Your voice has a platform. No need for the beeb. Be you! 💕' said leannepowell1. A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: 'After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.' However, the BBC's comment does not rule out a future collaboration with the star. 'Nadiya remains a much-valued part of the BBC family, and we look forward to working together on future projects.' Elsewhere in the video, Nadiya spoke of how she had been struggling to post about food recently, due to her feelings on the situation in Gaza, and being 'unwell.' Last year, the mum-of-three revealed that she had been diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases after feeling 'sick and unwell.' She did not specify which conditions she had been diagnosed with, but said that she would speak more when she has a 'better handle' on them. In a video on Instagram, Nadiya explained: 'Over the course of two years, I've been quite unwell. I've just been getting quite sick. 'And over the course of the two years, I've been diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, which I'm not going to go into now. 'I will go into in the future when I know more about it, and when I have a better handle on it and when I understand it a little bit better. 'But till then I cannot express the importance of listening to your body, of taking care of yourself.' Last year, she also sparked concern from fans after posting a picture of an empty cup of tea on Instagram. More Trending 'Sometimes. Some things have to end. In order to find love. That might be all the love you ever needed. '#Love #hearts #surprises #end #beginning,' she captioned the post – which contained a broken heart at the bottom of its mug. View More » has reached out to the BBC and Nadiya's representatives for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Psychological thriller labelled a 'masterpiece' free to stream on BBC iPlayer MORE: TV fans have days to binge BBC's 'best crime drama' before return MORE: Casualty declares major incident as first look is revealed
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
‘Do I care? No': Nadiya Hussain is prepared for backlash against her new Ramadan book
Nadiya Hussain has been without a kitchen for almost a month and a half, and it's not going well. 'I've literally gone bonkers without it,' says the Luton-born cookery writer. She's been nipping to her sister's house five minutes down the road to cook, even though her sister will happily just feed her. 'I rely on my kitchen so much, for my own sanity, for my own mental wellbeing,' says Hussain. 'I don't know who I am without my kitchen! I said it out loud to my friend. She goes, 'You are not defined by your kitchen'. I said, 'I think you'll find I am!'' For many of us though, it's Hussain herself who's a defining force in the kitchen. Since the moment she won the sixth series of the Great British Bake Off in 2015, dissolving us – and the usually impassive Mary Berry – into tearful messes, she's brought us recipes full of colour, fun and flavour. Her cookbooks and TV shows have taught us to bake (Nadiya's Everyday Baking), cut waste (Cook Once, Eat Twice), throw together curries (Nadiya's Simple Spices), and feed our families well, but fast (Time To Eat). It's all cheerful, tasty, nourishing stuff. Her new cookbook, Rooza, feels different. It will still leave you full and happy, but it's bigger, bolder and incredibly beautiful. 'Oh my goodness, I'm so excited. I can't tell you. Books like this don't exist,' says Hussain. 'It is probably one of the biggest privileges for me ever to be able to write something like this, because I know what this is going to mean to people who observe Ramadan.' Rooza contains 30 three course meals, inspired by the cuisines of 30 countries – from Nepal to Tunisia, and Singapore to Syria – where people observe the Islamic holy month, during which they fast from sunrise to sunset, before coming together to eat and pray. Hussain describes Ramadan (February 28 – March 30 this year), as a much-loved but fleeting friend. 'Everyone's got that friend that, no matter how long you've not spoken to each other for, how long you've been apart, when you're together, it feels like you never left – that's what Ramadan feels like,' she explains. 'Ramadan is something I grew up doing, but I never really valued it or understood what it really meant until I had my own family.' Her children, who she and husband Abdal live with in Milton Keynes, are now 18, 17 and 14, and they all fast. 'There's no question. That's what I love about it. I love that we just do it and there's no arguments, and trust me, that's big when you've got teenagers, because they rebel and fight. They will fight for their rights when it comes to everything else,' she says, and during Ramadan, they're hungry, so they're guaranteed dinner altogether. 'I get 30 solid days with my kids. I love that, and I know it's really selfish, but it's the time when my children are mine,' says Hussain, adding with a laugh: 'When they have their own families, I'll gatecrash and be like, 'I'm coming for dinner now, it's my turn!' While her children might not question Ramadan, lots of people who don't observe, often do, especially the fasting element. 'It's like, 'Why would you do that to yourself?' But we're not hurting ourselves. It's a huge part of our faith,' says Hussain, who hopes Rooza shows people that Ramadan is a celebration and 'isn't a torture for us. This is joy. We love this. We enjoy this. There is a beautiful bright side to it that nobody really gets to see.' She adds: 'It's the most peaceful, calm month of the year for us.' Sadly, Hussain is prepared for the backlash she'll inevitably face for writing Rooza. 'I can't do a Cornish pasty without somebody having a go at me. So yes, of course, I'm totally ready for that to happen, but do I care? No. Can I handle it better? Absolutely. Is it right? No, it's not right, but I know these things happen,' she says, resigned but stoic. 'Most importantly, I know those comments are not important.' Hussain has spoken about having anxiety and panic disorder, and recently shared that she's been diagnosed with two autoimmune disorders. She also dedicates Rooza to mothers for all that they give and all that they do, yet she is still 'really bad at taking time for myself'. But is planning to try much 'harder to carve out time' for herself in 2025, especially for her archery – she wants to start competing. 'There's something very powerful about your stance, it's the way you hold yourself. You cannot be a millimetre off; a millimetre off, and you're not hitting that target,' she says. 'I feel powerful, controlled and really free in those moments when I let go and [the arrow] goes thunk when it hits.' When we speak, Hussain is also gearing up to turn 40, and this time last year, had it in her head that by the time the big 4-0 rolled round, she was going to 'have a six-pack' and be the fittest she'd ever been. 'I put all this pressure on myself,' she admits, 'and I haven't achieved any of those things I said I would.' But she is infinitely happier. 'I'm happy inside. I'm happy at home, and I can't want more than that,' she says. 'I have had a really tough year with my health, and that's really put things into perspective. It's not about having a six-pack, it's about being happy and enjoying the things I love.' Her husband was secretly making grand birthday plans ('I can tell he's up to no good!') and even though she reckoned she'd be cooking for her 40th bash, Hussain was hoping for cake: 'I love the idea that somebody else has baked.' She deserves all the cake and more. Rooza by Nadiya Hussain is published by Penguin Michael Joseph, priced £25. Photography by Chris Terry. Available January 23
