Nadiya Hussain Steps Away from Teaching Due to Health Concerns
Great British Bake Off champion Nadiya Hussain has made the emotional decision to resign from her position as a primary school teaching assistant, citing significant health challenges. This announcement comes merely days after she revealed her departure from the television industry to pursue a career in education.
A Heartfelt Announcement on Social Media
In a tearful Instagram video, Hussain shared the news with her followers, explaining that the role, which she described as one of the best jobs she had ever done apart from raising her own children, was taking a severe toll on her well-being. "Hi guys, giving you a life update that you didn't ask for but you are going to get anyway," she began, her voice trembling.
She elaborated that after the BBC cancelled her cookery show, she found herself at a crossroads, exploring various options such as opening a business or a pop-up restaurant, none of which appealed to her at the time. "I applied and got a job as a TA at a primary school and I've got to say, apart from raising my own children, it was one of the best jobs I've ever done," she expressed, highlighting her passion for working with young children.
Health Issues Force a Difficult Decision
However, Hussain, who suffers from fibromyalgia—a chronic disorder causing musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues—found that the school environment exacerbated her condition. "As you know, anyone who works in a school setting—there are lots of coughs and colds bugs and I just couldn't get better," she revealed. The constant illnesses began to affect her mental health, leading to a decline in her performance.
"I had to make a really tough decision, one of the toughest I've ever had to make was stepping away from that job," she stated, noting that she worked at the school for just over three months. Despite loving every moment, she emphasized the necessity of prioritizing her health, saying, "I had to do it for the sake of my health."
Career Transition and Future Plans
Hussain's move into teaching followed her exit from showbiz, where she had been a prominent figure for over a decade with shows like Nadiya Bakes and Nadiya's Fast Flavours. She mentioned receiving offers from other channels like ITV and Channel 4 but felt that returning to television was not currently desirable. Instead, she aimed to gain training and potentially become a teacher in the future.
The school, Giles Brook Primary, acknowledged her contribution in their newsletter, stating, "Although Nadiya has been with us for a relatively short time, she has quickly become a valued member of our class and school team." Celebrities such as Lisa Faulkner and Dr. Amir Khan offered their support in the comments, with Dr. Khan noting, "As a doctor I totally get this. You have to look after your health."
Hussain concluded by reflecting on the experience, stating it helped her focus on what is important and that sometimes tough decisions are necessary in life. She remains committed to publishing her books and exploring new opportunities that align with her health needs.
