Great British Bake Off Winner Nadiya Hussain Steps Down from Teaching Role After Health Struggles
Nadiya Hussain, the celebrated winner of the 2015 Great British Bake Off, has made an emotional announcement regarding her departure from a primary school teaching assistant position. The decision comes merely three months into her new role, with Hussain citing that the job "played havoc with her health".
Emotional Instagram Announcement Details Career Shift
In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Hussain wiped away tears as she revealed her resignation. "Hi guys, giving you a life update that you didn't ask for but you are going to get anyway," she began. Hussain explained that after the BBC cancelled her cooking show, she found herself at a crossroads, exploring various options before settling on teaching.
"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. "I loved every second of waking up in the morning with a spring in my step for these beautiful children."
Health Challenges Force Difficult Decision
Despite her passion for the role, Hussain's health issues made it unsustainable. She suffers from fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. "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 stated.
"So, I was sick all the time and it got to the point where it was affecting my mental health and I just wasn't performing, giving my best because I was always sick," Hussain added. This led to one of the toughest decisions of her life: stepping away from the job to prioritize her well-being.
Support from School and Celebrities
Giles Brook Primary School, where Hussain worked, acknowledged her contributions in their newsletter. "Although Nadiya has been with us for a relatively short time, she has quickly become a valued member of our class and school team," they wrote. "The children have enjoyed working with her and we are grateful for the help and encouragement she has given them during her time with us."
Celebrities also rallied in support. Actress Lisa Faulkner commented, "You are brilliant and I love you," while TV doctor Dr. Amir Khan noted, "As a doctor I totally get this. You have to look after your health and I've no doubt you will find a way to work with children where you and they both thrive."
Background on Career Transition
Hussain's move into teaching followed the cancellation of her BBC show, after which she received offers from other channels like ITV and Channel 4. However, she chose to pivot entirely, stating that working on a new series was "not something that I want to do" at the time. Initially, she planned to gain training and potentially become a teacher in the future.
Reflecting on her experience, Hussain emphasized the importance of self-care. "Sometimes you have to make tough decisions in life," she said. "I had to do it for the sake of my health... it has made me think about what's important to me and what I wanted to do." Though saddened by the outcome, she remains optimistic about finding new ways to work with children while managing her health.
