Nadiya Hussain, the beloved winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, has opened up about the emotional turmoil that still haunts her years after her triumph. In a candid interview, she revealed that she cannot bear to listen to the show's iconic theme tune, a stark contrast to the joyful memories many associate with her victory.
The Heartbreaking Reason Behind Her Aversion
When Nadiya Hussain was crowned champion nearly a decade ago, her emotional speech moved judge Mary Berry to tears and inspired viewers nationwide. She declared, "I'm never gonna put boundaries on myself again. I'm never gonna say 'I can't'. I'm never gonna say 'Maybe'. I'm never gonna say 'I don't think I can'. I can and I will." However, she now reflects on that period with complexity, insisting she did not recognize the "journey" others projected onto her experience at the time.
Speaking to The i, Hussain admitted that revisiting her Bake Off days is difficult. "Watching it back stresses me out because I remember the anxiety I was feeling," she said. "I still can't listen to the theme tune from Bake Off." When asked if she truly cannot bear to hear it, her response was immediate and visceral: she shuddered and said, "No. No. I can't." This aversion stems from the intense pressure and anxiety she endured during the competition, which the theme tune now triggers.
Career Setbacks and Industry Challenges
Her win propelled her into national prominence, leading to a decade of cookery programming with the BBC, including series like Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya’s Time To Eat, and Nadiya’s Family Favourites. However, last year, the BBC decided not to recommission these shows, a development that "shocked" Hussain. A BBC spokesperson stated, "After many wonderful series we made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain for the time being. We remain open to working with her in the future."
This decision marked a turning point for Hussain. She told Press Association, "When BBC cancelled the show, I thought to myself, 'Oh, I see what’s happening'. And so from that point, I got rid of my management. I needed to start from scratch. I cannot become this manufactured caricature version of myself that everybody thinks is sellable as a brand."
Frustration with Representation and Longevity
Her comments reveal deeper frustrations about representation and longevity in the television industry. Hussain highlighted the scarcity of Muslim female chefs on TV, saying, "It’s really hard to pick a few. It’s hard not to feel like a token, because it’s almost like we’re allowed a certain amount of space, ’til that space no longer exists for us. When the box has been ticked."
She expressed a desire for a career that spans decades, similar to established figures like Mary Berry. "What I want to see going into the future is longevity. I would love to have seen myself where Mary Berry is at 85 or 90-something years old, still cooking on television," Hussain said. "I would have loved to have seen that for myself, but that’s a dream that I can’t live up to because I’m not white. Because we don’t have longevity. I can’t even find another Muslim woman to equate myself to, or stand shoulder to shoulder with."
Hussain criticized the industry's performative inclusivity, noting, "There’s this show of, 'look, we’re inclusive', until we’re not. But it’s not about being inclusive in the moment. I want to be able to do this for as long as Mary has done it. I want that longevity. I want to be able to do it for years and years, but I don’t want to be a token, but because I’m good at it, because I know my shows were amazing."
Moving Forward with New Projects
Despite these setbacks, Hussain continues to expand her culinary portfolio. She has just released her 11th cookbook, Nadiya’s Quick Comforts, a collection celebrating speedy, home-cooked dishes designed to be made quickly and savoured slowly. Published in hardback by Penguin Michael Joseph and priced at £28, with photography by Chris Terry, it is available now. This new venture underscores her resilience and commitment to her craft, even as she navigates the challenges of an industry she feels often marginalizes voices like hers.
Nadiya Hussain's story is a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles behind reality TV fame and the ongoing battle for diversity and longevity in entertainment. Her honesty about anxiety, career pivots, and systemic barriers offers a powerful insight into the realities faced by many in the spotlight.
