Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain QUITS teaching at a primary school because the job ‘played havoc with her health’

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Nadiya Hussain, best known for winning The Great British Bake Off, recently left her job as a primary school teacher because it was negatively affecting her health, she shared.

Nadiya, age 41, famously won a cooking competition in 2015. After the BBC cancelled her cooking show last year, she began exploring other job opportunities.

She recently shared that she’s now working as a teaching assistant at a nearby elementary school.

However, just a few weeks into the job, she had to resign and shared the upsetting news in a heartfelt post on Instagram.

With tears in her eyes, she began to share an update, saying, ‘Hey everyone, I’m going to tell you what’s been going on with me, whether you wanted to know or not.’

As many of you know, when the BBC cancelled my show, I felt lost and unsure about my future. I didn’t know what direction to take next.

I considered many different ideas, including starting a temporary restaurant or kitchen, but none of them felt right for me at the time.

I continue to publish books, especially cookbooks, which I’m passionate about. But I was hesitant and honestly quite frightened to start applying for jobs again.

She explained how she ended up working at the school, saying, ‘I’ve always been passionate about working with young children as a teaching assistant. Applying for jobs was challenging for many reasons, but I eventually found this position.’

Working as a teaching assistant at a primary school was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, second only to raising my own children.

Honestly, getting up every morning to work with those kids was the absolute best part of my day! I truly cherished every single moment – it wasn’t just a job, it was something I genuinely lived for. I can’t even explain how much joy it brought me, just thinking about it makes me smile!

Unfortunately, working that kind of job really damaged my health because I have a weakened immune system.

Nadiya, who has fibromyalgia, explained that working in a school exposes you to a lot of illnesses like coughs and colds, and she was finding it difficult to recover.

I was constantly ill, and it started to seriously impact my mental well-being. Because I was always sick, I couldn’t perform at my best.

Leaving that job was an incredibly difficult decision – one of the hardest I’ve ever faced.

I spent just over three months there and truly enjoyed it. The best part was watching the children develop and grow.

This experience helped me identify the types of industries I’m interested in, which has given me a clearer focus for my job search.

Unfortunately, with my immune system being compromised, continuing to work as a teaching assistant in a primary school became too difficult. It was a really tough decision, but I had to step down.

I needed to prioritize my health, but I truly enjoyed working with some fantastic colleagues over the past three months – they all know who they are.

I felt very fortunate to have the chance to work at the primary school, and I truly enjoyed every moment. Sadly, it didn’t work out in the end.

This experience has really helped me clarify my priorities and think about what I want out of life. It’s reminded me that sometimes we have to make difficult choices.

Life has its ups and downs, and navigating those challenging times often requires tough choices. It’s not always easy, but you need to make those decisions, and it’s perfectly alright to prioritize your own well-being sometimes.

I had to prioritize my well-being, which ultimately was the right decision, though it makes me incredibly sad. I built some wonderful relationships and envisioned a long-term future there, so it’s hard to leave.

It was a difficult choice, but ultimately necessary. It’s helped me gain clarity and understand my own capabilities, especially considering my weakened immune system.

Nadiya finished with an upbeat tone saying: ‘So back to drawing board and figuring stuff out.’

The Daily Mail has learned that Nadiya worked at Giles Brook Primary School, close to her home in Milton Keynes. A school newsletter from October announced she was teaching Year One in a class called ‘Crickets’.

Just weeks after the initial posting, the position was advertised again. Then, a recent newsletter announced her departure, with the school expressing their best wishes.

Last June, the BBC announced that they wouldn’t be making any more cooking shows with Nadiya Hussain for the time being, calling it a tough decision after many successful seasons.

Nadiya is still a key member of the BBC team, and we’re excited to collaborate with her on upcoming projects.

She told Woman & Home she’s enjoying her current job as a teacher. While other broadcasting opportunities have come up, she’s not currently looking to host cooking programs.

Nadiya received offers from channels like Channel 4 and ITV, but she’s not interested in taking them right now. She’s looking for partnerships with broadcasters where they can collaborate on meaningful television projects.

If I were to host another cooking show, I’d want more say in the creative process. But beyond cooking, I’m really interested in making documentaries and travel shows that explore important topics. I also enjoy writing cookbooks – the most rewarding part of my work is sharing recipes and helping people feel confident cooking.

In the interview, she discussed her experience with fibromyalgia, a long-term illness that causes pain and tiredness all over the body.

Being stressed made my health problems feel more intense, and the show’s cancellation really affected me physically because it left me feeling lost and uncertain about the future.

Nadiya, who shared that she received the diagnosis in 2024, explained that it felt like losing a part of herself. She said, ‘It was as if my entire personality had disappeared.’

‘One day, I’ll feel OK, so I try to get everything done on that day, then I’m back to square one.

Okay, so, I’ve got this thing with my immune system – it basically attacks my stomach and makes it super hard to get nutrients from food. It’s an autoimmune thing, and honestly, it’s a daily struggle. I’m on vitamins and medication constantly, and the doctors say it’s something I’ll just have to deal with for the rest of my life. It’s… a lot, but I’m managing!

She explained that autoimmune diseases overwhelmingly affect women – around 80% of those diagnosed are female. She believes this is often linked to how women handle stress, which can ultimately contribute to developing these conditions. As a result, she’s made a conscious effort to live a more relaxed and deliberate life.

As soon as she posted the news on Instagram, where she has over a million followers, thousands of fans immediately sent messages of support.

People suggested she start a cooking show for kids online, or even become a judge on The Great British Bake Off.

Celebrities quickly offered their support too, with actress and Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner – wife of TV chef John Torode – sharing: ‘You’re amazing, and I love you!’

Dr. Amir Khan, a doctor who often appears on TV, shared his support, saying, ‘I understand this completely as a doctor. Taking care of your health is important, and I’m sure you’ll find a way to work with children that’s positive for everyone involved.’

No-one from Giles Brook Primary School was available for comment.

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2026-02-24 14:21