TV chef and Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain has revealed her BBC cookery show Nadiya’s Simple Spices will not be returning — calling the decision a “huge turning point” in her career.
In a heartfelt message to fans on Instagram, the 2015 Bake Off champion from Luton confirmed the broadcaster had dropped the popular series.
“The BBC have decided that they didn’t want to commission a show,” she said. “And for me, that was a huge turning point because it’s something I’ve done for the past 10 years.”
Nadiya, who attended Challney High School for Girls and Luton Sixth Form College, has fronted several well-loved series for the BBC, including Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya’s Fast Flavours and Nadiya’s Everyday Baking. She also appeared in the documentary Nadiya: Anxiety and Me, which explored her experience with mental health.
In her video, Nadiya reflected on the changes in her career and the impact of the BBC’s decision, saying: “I was already on this steady trajectory of change and I was thinking about where I wanted my career to go, and when the BBC decided they didn’t want to commission the show anymore, it really did kind of solidify everything for me, and it made me dig my heels in and think ‘OK, I know where I want to be’.”
The BBC said the decision was not a reflection of her work and praised her contribution to the broadcaster. A spokesperson told the BBC website: “After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment. Nadiya remains a much-valued part of the BBC family, and we look forward to working together on future projects.”
Elsewhere in her video, Nadiya spoke openly about her experience as a Muslim woman in the food industry. “It’s really difficult,” she said. “As a Muslim woman, I work in an industry that doesn’t always support people like me or recognise my talent or full potential. There’s a lot of gaslighting, making me feel like what’s actually happening isn’t happening.”
She also touched on her values and the ongoing war in Gaza, saying she is choosing to work only with brands whose ethics align with hers.
“I’m way more mindful of who I work with, brands I work with, especially if they are brands that support the genocide,” she said. “I’ve made sure I’m actively working with brands that align with me.”
Looking ahead, Nadiya said she was moving in a “positive direction” and embracing a new chapter in her career. “I’m working on some new things, but for me it’s about being my most authentic self, and working with people who believe my voice has a platform, and believing in my talent.”
She added: “It’s been interesting because there have been lots of changes in my career, that I’m really excited about. I’m excited about taking back a bit of ownership of what I do, how I do it and who I work with, and that’s given me a freedom I haven’t had in the last 10 years.”
Be the first to comment