The most prominent Bake Off champ says she is “allowed to feel angry” after the BBC decided not to commission another cookery series with her, ending a decade-long run.
Nadiya Hussain, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2015, took to Instagram to address what she described as “tonnes of messages” telling her to be “grateful” for the opportunities she’s had.
“Messages from people telling me to be grateful for the opportunity and be thankful for how far I’ve come,” she told her 950,000 followers in a video. “But gratitude has its place, and it shouldn’t be a muzzle. It shouldn’t be a muzzle like a dog,” she said.
The presenter, 40, whose shows included Nadiya’s Asian Odyssey and Nadiya’s Time To Eat. described how growing up in an immigrant household taught her gratitude as a survival tool.
“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,” Hussain explained.
“But I am allowed to feel more than just thankful,” she continued. “I am a human being and I am allowed to feel angry when I’m treated unfairly.”
The BBC said in a statement: “After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment,” adding that she remains “a much-valued part of the BBC family.”
Hussain, who baked Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday cake, reflected on her position in the TV industry, stating: “It’s really difficult as a Muslim woman. I work in an industry that doesn’t always support people like me or recognise my talent or my full potential.”
She also described experiencing “a lot of gaslighting and making you feel like what’s actually happening isn’t happening.”
Some viewers have praised Hussain for speaking out. One supporter wrote, “Nadiya you have inspired so many people, you deserve to speak your truth.” Another added, “You’ve worked so hard, don’t let anyone dim your light.”
However, others criticised her remarks. One user commented, “She should be grateful, many people would kill for a BBC contract. She sounds entitled.” Another wrote, “Typical celebrity moaning while the rest of us work hard for less.”
Hussain addressed these criticisms directly in her post, stating: “Anytime I voiced frustration or sadness or wanted more, I could feel the invisible pressure, like how dare you complain? Aren’t you just lucky to be here?”
She added, “We didn’t come here just to survive. We came here to live, to grow, to contribute, to belong.”
Hussain also highlighted that she has built her career through “hard work, determination and talent,” adding: “So no, I won’t be grateful. I got here because I’m good at what I do.”
Her video received supportive comments from public figures, including singer Annie Lennox, who said: “Gratitude should never become a silencing muzzle – as you SO rightly say!”
Presenter Fearne Cotton left heart emojis, while Bake Off winner Rahul Mandal wrote: “So true. Thanks so much for speaking up.”
Hussain, who has published multiple cookbooks and presented a variety of TV programmes, also said she remains determined to continue her career in food and broadcasting: “I want to work with people who believe in voices like mine,” she said.
Since her Bake Off win, Hussain has presented series exploring home cooking, family recipes, and travel, and she was chosen to bake the official cake for the Queen’s birthday celebrations.
While the BBC has left the door open for potential future projects with Hussain, her comments have reignited discussions about the pressures faced by ethnic minority presenters and the expectations placed on public figures to remain silent about setbacks.
Hussain ended her video by reaffirming her stance: “So no, I won’t always be grateful, and that doesn’t make me ungrateful, it makes me human.”