"I am allowed to feel angry when I’m treated unfairly."
Nadiya Hussain has broken her silence following the BBC’s decision not to renew her cooking show, marking the end of a decade-long partnership with the broadcaster.
Earlier in June 2025, the former Great British Bake Off winner revealed that she would not return to screens with a new BBC cookery series.
The broadcaster later confirmed the move, saying: “After several wonderful series, we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.”
Nadiya thanked her fans “for being on this journey with [her]” and admitted the development had triggered some reflection.
She wrote: “It made me reassess where I want to be.”
Despite parting ways with the BBC, the 40-year-old hinted at new creative ventures ahead.
“I plan to work with people who believe in the voices of people like [me].
“There are exciting things to come.”
Since making the announcement, Nadiya has been inundated with messages from followers. Some expressed support. Others urged her to show gratitude.
In a candid video posted on Instagram, she addressed the mixed reactions.
Nadiya said: “I have received tons of messages since talking about my situation with the BBC, messages from people telling me to be grateful for the opportunity and be thankful for how far I’ve come.”
The TV chef reflected on how this idea of constant gratitude had been embedded in her since childhood.
“Now, my whole life, as a child in an immigrant household, I used to think I had to be grateful all the time because I watched my family, always grateful.
“Grateful for being let in, grateful for having work, even if underpaid, grateful for safety, even if it meant silence.
“Always grateful, even when I feel tired, lonely, or disrespected. At first, gratitude felt right because it was instilled in me from a young age; it was all I saw.”
But, she explained, this sense of obligation became more of a burden than a strength:
“After a while, it starts to get really heavy. Gratitude became something that I was expected to wear like a uniform. Anytime I voiced frustration or sadness or wanted more, I could feel the invisible pressure.
“Like, how dare you complain? Aren’t you lucky just to be here? But here’s what I’ve come to understand.
“I am allowed to feel more than just thankful. I am a human being, and I am allowed to feel angry when I’m treated unfairly.
“I’m allowed to want better for myself and for my family. I’m allowed to speak up. I’m allowed to exist fully. Complex, emotional, hopeful, sometimes critical, just like anyone else.”
Nadiya Hussain also rejected any suggestion that her achievements were the result of tokenism.
“So, gratitude has its place, but it shouldn’t be a muzzle, like a dog.”
“We didn’t come here just to survive; we came here to live, to grow, to contribute, to belong, not as a guest, but as a person who has rights and dreams and dignity, just like everyone else.
“So no, I won’t always be grateful, and that doesn’t make me ungrateful; it makes me human. That’s what it does.”
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Closing the video with a firm statement, she said: “So, I’ve got here through hard work, through determination, through talent, so no, I won’t be grateful.
“I got here because I’m good at what I do. Just something to think about.”
The post sparked widespread support, as singer Annie Lennox commented:
“One HUNDRED per cent!!!!! Thank you for sharing your lived experience and perspective!!! Gratitude should never become a silencing muzzle – as you SO rightly say!”
TV doctor Amir Khan commented: “Exactly this! Well said.”
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