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Nadiya Hussain Says Creative Clashes Preceded BBC Exit, Cites Pay Gap and Burnout

She contends the decision followed disputes over keeping food central, with her outspokenness as a woman of colour labelled difficult.

Overview

  • In new interviews, Hussain says "really difficult conversations" about producers prioritising her appearance over recipes came shortly before her BBC cookery series was cancelled.
  • She alleges she is paid less than "the white version of me" for the same role and characterises television's approach to diversity as "broken."
  • The BBC says it has not commissioned another cookery show with Hussain for the time being and that it remains open to working with her in future.
  • Hussain says she was taken to hospital with burnout during her last series and felt there was little meaningful care when she "crashed."
  • She has turned down approaches from other broadcasters, left a primary school teaching assistant post due to health issues including fibromyalgia, and is weighing starting her own production company.