Nadiya Hussain has addressed the reaction to the BBC’s decision not to renew her cookery show, marking the end of a decade-long partnership with the broadcaster.
Earlier this month, the Great British Bake Off winner revealed she would not be returning to screens with a new BBC series.
The 40-year-old first rose to fame after winning Bake Off in 2015 and has since fronted several popular food and travel shows for the channel.
Sharing the news with fans, Nadiya thanked viewers “for being on this journey with [her]” and admitted the decision prompted some soul-searching.
“It made me reassess where I want to be,” she wrote.
Despite the setback, she hinted at new opportunities on the horizon, saying she plans to continue working “with people who believe in the voices of people like [her]” and teased that “exciting” projects are still to come.
The BBC, which broadcast Bake Off when Nadiya took part, later issued a statement, confirming: “After several wonderful series, we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.”
While the BBC has left the door open for future collaborations, Nadiya has now addressed the “tonnes of messages” she received after opening up about her departure from the broadcaster on Instagram.
The chef shared on Thursday in a lengthy video: “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.”
Reflecting on her upbringing in an immigrant household, Hussain spoke about how the importance of gratitude was ingrained in her from an early age.
“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,” she said. “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.”
She went on: “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.”
The chef firmly rejected the idea that her success was due to charity rather than merit., adding: “So no, I won’t always be grateful, and that doesn’t make me ungrateful; it makes me human. That’s what it does.”
She then ended her video with a defiant note: “So, 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.”
After sharing her video, the TV chef was inundated with messages of support.
Singer Annie Lennox wrote: “One HUNDRED per cent!!!!!Thank you for sharing your lived experience and perspective!!!Gratitude should never become a silencing muzzle – as you SO rightly say!”
“So true. Thanks so much speaking up [sic]”, commented 2018 Bake Off winner Rahul Mandal while Fearne Cotton shared several red heart emojis.
“Exactly this! Well said,” penned TV doctor Amir Khan.
Since winning GBBO a decade ago, Nadiya has become a familiar face on the BBC, fronting a string of successful shows including Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya’s Fast Flavours, and Nadiya’s Simple Spices.
Although a new series hasn’t been commissioned, the broadcaster has said she remains “a much-valued part of the BBC family”.
In a recent video addressing the decision, Nadiya said she’s now focused on “being [her] most authentic self” and working with people who “believe in [her] talent”.
