The Great British Bake Off has launched many careers, but not all winners have enjoyed lasting fame. As series six champion Nadiya Hussain opens up about her BBC departure, the varied fates of past victors come into focus.
Nadiya, 41, claimed she was dropped by the BBC due to her Muslim heritage. However, insiders told the Daily Mail that her star had 'waned', her recipes became 'tired', and she became 'increasingly hard to work with'. Her comments have reignited interest in the show's alumni.
Series one winner Edd Kimber, 41, has thrived as a food writer and cookbook author. The former debt collector now boasts 517,000 Instagram followers and has worked at Raymond Blanc's Michelin-starred restaurant.
Joanne Wheatley, winner of series two, became one of the most financially successful stars. The mother-of-three earned £75,000 from book deals after racking up £500,000 in sales, and now runs her own cookery school.
John Whaite, 36, who won series three, has faced challenges including steroid addiction. He made history in 2021 as part of Strictly's first male same-sex pairing, finishing second, and later revealed he had 'fallen for' his dance partner Johannes Radebe.
