Ulrika Jonsson hits out at ‘entitled’ Nadiya Hussain as she reveals ‘disappointing’ encounter with the Bake Off winner after her blistering attacks on the BBC

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Ulrika Jonsson criticized Nadiya Hussain, calling her ‘entitled,’ after a disappointing experience with the Bake Off winner, who recently made strong criticisms of the BBC.

Nadiya, age 41, has criticized the BBC for not consistently supporting Muslim women, and is responding to strong negative reactions after her cooking show was cancelled.

Ulrika, 58, has addressed suggestions that her recipes lacked excitement and that she could be challenging to collaborate with.

She admitted she doesn’t know if the claims are accurate, but they do align with her own limited experience with the person.

Ulrika recalled meeting her backstage at a TV show years ago, saying she was excited because her daughters and she had been rooting for her to win The Great British Bake Off in 2015.

‘I was disappointed to find her quite dismissive with a seeming sense of entitlement about her.  

To those seeking fame and online influence today – people who might go from ordinary jobs to sudden popularity – remember that no one deserves fame. And for most, it doesn’t last very long – often just a brief moment.

Ulrika points out that even though Nadiya is a skilled cook, her popularity won’t necessarily last forever, as trends and public interest naturally shift over time and new stars emerge.

She adds that the world of television owes her nothing and that her moans are ’embarrassing.’ 

Nadiya Hussain, a chef who won the sixth season of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, has since become a popular television personality with a thriving career.

She’s collaborated with the BBC on shows like Nadiya’s Asian Odyssey, Nadiya’s Cook Once Eat Twice, and Nadiya’s Time To Eat.

Nadiya recently shared that the broadcaster has chosen not to create any further shows featuring her.

She shared the news on social media, also speaking about her experiences in the industry. She explained that it can be challenging to be a Muslim woman in her field, noting that her talent and potential haven’t always been fully appreciated or supported.

Nadiya shared in an Instagram video that she’s been getting a lot of messages since discussing her experience with the BBC. Many people have told her to appreciate the opportunity she had and remember how successful she’s become.

Growing up in an immigrant family, I was taught to always be grateful. My parents and relatives were thankful for every opportunity – being allowed into a new country, having jobs even if they didn’t pay much, and even just being safe, even if it meant not speaking up. I learned from a young age that gratitude was expected.

I try to feel thankful even when I’m exhausted, alone, or treated poorly. Initially, gratitude came naturally, as I was raised to prioritize it and it was all around me.

You know, I’m a big believer in gratitude, but I’ve learned it can sometimes backfire. It started feeling less genuine and more like something I should feel, almost like an obligation. Whenever I’d allow myself to be frustrated, or admit I was struggling, or simply wanted something more out of life, I’d feel this weird pressure – this unspoken judgment that I shouldn’t complain and should just be thankful for what I have. It’s like voicing any negative emotion felt…wrong, as if I was being told I wasn’t allowed to feel anything but happiness.

She explained that she’s realized it’s okay to feel a range of emotions, not just gratitude. As a person, she’s allowed to be angry when she’s treated badly, and she’s allowed to strive for a better life for herself and her family.

I have the right to voice my opinions and simply be myself – with all the complexities, emotions, and hopes that come with being human, just like everyone else. While I appreciate what I have, that shouldn’t stop me from speaking honestly. Gratitude is good, but it shouldn’t silence me.

We’re not just looking to get by; we want to truly live, thrive, and make a difference. We want to feel like we belong, not as outsiders, but as full members of society with the same rights, hopes, and respect as anyone else.

‘So no, I won’t always be grateful and that doesn’t make me ungrateful, it makes me human.

I earned my success through effort, perseverance, and skill. Therefore, I don’t feel I need to be grateful – I’m here because I’m good at my job. It’s something worth considering.

I’m absolutely gutted! Nadiya just posted on Instagram – can you believe she said there won’t be any more cookery shows?! She talked about changes happening with her career, and honestly, this is the biggest one. Nine hundred and fifty thousand of us are probably reeling right now. I was seriously hoping for another season… it’s just… devastating!

The cooking show has been cancelled. The BBC decided not to renew it for another season.

That moment was a major shift in my perspective, as I’d been doing that same thing for a decade.

It was a major turning point for me. I was already evolving and seriously considering my career path.

When the BBC cancelled the show, it confirmed my feelings and motivated me to fully commit to my vision. It made me certain about the path I wanted to take.

She shared that being a Muslim woman in her field presents real challenges. She explained that the industry doesn’t always value people like her or fully appreciate her skills and abilities.

‘And as a lot gaslighting and making you feel like what’s actually happening isn’t happening.

‘So for me it’s been a huge, huge, huge change for me. But it’s one that I am really excited about.

I’m eager to grow and collaborate with others who value diverse perspectives and experiences like my own.

A BBC representative confirmed they won’t be making any more cooking shows with Nadiya Hussain right now, despite the success of previous seasons. They described it as a tough decision.

Nadiya has had a very successful career since winning GBBO 10 years ago.

Soon after appearing on the show, Nadiya hosted The Chronicles of Nadiya for BBC One. That same year, she also became a judge on Junior Bake Off.

The following year she presented an eight-part series called Nadiya’s British Food Adventure.

In addition to hosting her cooking show on the BBC, she’s been a guest reporter on programs like The One Show and Loose Women on ITV.

Nadiya has published several cookbooks throughout her career, including titles like “Nadiya’s Kitchen,” “Nadiya’s Every Day Baking,” and “Cook Once, Eat Twice.”

She’s the author of several novels, including The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters, Spreading my Wings, and Today I’m Strong.

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2026-03-17 15:07