By M10News Entertainment Desk | © M10News 2025
Great British Bake Off icon Nadiya Hussain has spoken candidly about her experience following the BBC’s decision to cancel her cookery series, a move that ends their decade-long working relationship.
Earlier this month, Nadiya, 40, confirmed that the broadcaster would not be commissioning another show with her, despite her prominent role as a BBC presenter since winning The Great British Bake Off in 2015.
In her initial response, Nadiya thanked her supporters for being part of her journey but admitted the cancellation had prompted her to reassess her future. “It’s made me think hard about where I want to be,” she said, adding that she is committed to working with people who believe in the voices of people like me, and teased that new, exciting projects are already on the horizon.
The BBC later issued a statement confirming the decision, explaining: “After several wonderful series, we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.” The broadcaster also indicated that it remains open to working with her again in the future.
Now, Nadiya has shared further thoughts on the public response to the news. In a heartfelt Instagram video, she addressed the flood of messages urging her to “just be grateful” for the opportunities she has had.
“Since I spoke about my situation with the BBC, I’ve received so many messages telling me to be grateful for the chance I’ve had and to be thankful for how far I’ve come,” she began.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Nadiya explained how growing up in an immigrant household shaped her relationship with gratitude. “My whole life, as a child in an immigrant household, I used to think I had to be grateful all the time.
I watched my family always grateful, grateful for being let in, grateful for work, even when underpaid, grateful for safety, even if it meant silence. Always grateful, even when I felt tired, lonely, or disrespected.”
She continued, “At first, gratitude felt right because it was all I knew. But after a while, it gets really heavy. Gratitude became something I was expected to wear like a uniform. Anytime I voiced frustration or sadness or wanted more, I felt invisible pressure – like, how dare you complain? Aren’t you lucky just to be here?”
Nadiya firmly declared that she has since rejected this idea. “I am allowed to feel more than just thankful. I am a human being. I am allowed to feel angry when I am treated unfairly. I am allowed to want better for myself and my family. I am allowed to speak up. I am allowed to exist fully – complex, emotional, hopeful, sometimes critical – just like anyone else.”
“Gratitude has its place,” she added, “but it shouldn’t be a muzzle. 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 people with rights, dreams, and dignity, just like everyone else.”
In her powerful closing message, Nadiya concluded, “So no, I won’t always be grateful, and that doesn’t make me ungrateful – it makes me human. I’ve got here through hard work, determination, and talent. I won’t be grateful just for being here. I got here because I’m good at what I do. Just something to think about.”
Her video quickly attracted messages of support from fellow celebrities and fans. TV presenter Fearne Cotton left a series of red heart emojis, while singer Annie Lennox praised Nadiya’s words, writing: “One HUNDRED per cent! Gratitude should never become a silencing muzzle – as you SO rightly say!”
Rahul Mandal, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2018, added, “So true. Thanks so much for speaking up,” while TV doctor Amir Khan commented, “Exactly this! Well said.”
Since her Bake Off triumph a decade ago, Nadiya has hosted several successful BBC shows, including Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya’s Fast Flavours, and Nadiya’s Simple Spices. Although a new series has not been commissioned, the BBC said Nadiya remains “a much-valued part of the BBC family.”
In her earlier announcement video, Nadiya assured fans she is now focused on embracing her “most authentic self” and working with people who “believe in [her] talent.”
The BBC has been contacted for further comment.
Source: BBC
