Nadiya Hussain has long been known as one of Bake Off’s showbiz success stories, but she now works in a school after getting the chop from the BBC.
The TV chef won the sixth series of the show in 2015 and went on to front several shows for the broadcaster before being let go in 2025.
Now 41, she says the past few months left her questioning who she is.
Nadiya’s Simple Spices Nadiya Hussain. Pic: BBC
Since leaving the BBC, Nadiya has taken a job a world away from cooking and the industry that made her a household name.
She now works as a teaching assistant in a primary school and is nurturing ambitions of becoming a full-time teacher despite offers from other broadcasters.
Nadiya’s Everyday Baking. Pic: BBC
‘I’m currently working as a teaching assistant at a lovely little primary school. The plan is to gain some training and maybe in the future, become a teacher,’ she told Woman and Home.
Nadiya admitted that some people have questioned why she would want to give up her glitzy career for a more typical career, and she explained that she does not associate fame with happiness.
‘There have been lots of tears, sadness and judgment. People have said, “Why would you want to go from here, right at the top to being at the bottom? But I don’t see it that way. Just because I’m famous doesn’t mean I’m at the top. I have been at my lowest ebb at the top.’
Nadiya’s Cook Once, Eat Twice. Pic: BBC
‘So what does being at the top really mean? Since working at the school, I’ve had some of my highest moments.’
She went on to say that she still doesn’t know why she was let go by the BBC and added that no one spoke to her about not being recommissioned.
Nadiya’s Simple Spices, Nadiya Hussain. Pic: BBC
A statement from the BBC: ‘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.’