Great British Bake Off champ Nadiya Hussain reflects on whirlwind year as she fulfils childhood dream of becoming an author by releasing her first book
The TV show winner's novel The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters is based on creative writing she penned as a seven year old
SHE may be best known for cooking up a storm in the kitchen but Nadiya Hussain is now fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming an author.
Since winning The Great British Bake Off in 2015 Nadiya’s career has gone from strength to strength.
She’s a regular on The One Show and a guest on Loose Women but her highlight so far has been her first novel.
The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters is based on a tale Nadiya wrote when she was just SEVEN, about four sisters who are the only young Muslims in a village.
Nadiya, 32, says: “I’ve been writing since I was little but I didn’t think any of it would ever see the light of day.
“Writing this book was a good chance to have a look through all the poems and stories I’ve written.
“I poured my heart and soul into it.
“I loved the creative process of writing the story and it’s a form of stress release.”
The mum of three favours romance novels and tearjerkers.
She confides: “My favourite book of all times is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, I like being made to cry.
Reflecting on how her life has changed since winning Bake Off, Nadiya says: “If I was to choose a highlight then baking the Queen’s cake for her 90th birthday was up there.
“It was amazing.
“I was so nervous I made a mistake and said ‘Good morning your Highness’ instead of ‘Happy birthday Your Majesty’.
I’m actually surprised I didn’t fall in the cake because that’s the kind of thing I’d do.
“I didn’t imagine I’d win in a million years.
“I think perhaps the viewers liked me because I’m average.”
Nadiya was emotional when she won Bake Off, which just endeared her to the nation even more.
She explains: “I’m quite an emotional person and it’s not something that I can control.
“It’s OK to show feelings — of course there are times it’s not appropriate but I think we worry too much about revealing how we really feel.
I'm surprised I didn't fall into the Queen's cake
Nadiya on baking the Queen's 90th birthday cake
“If my children cry because they’re sad or have fallen and hurt themselves I try to be sympathetic.
If it’s because they’re frustrated that I won’t give them a lollipop I’m probably less tolerant.”
Last year the announcement was made that Bake Off was to switch channels, which saw Mary Berry and hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins quit.
Nadiya says: “I wasn’t expecting the show to move to Channel 4, I don’t think anybody was.
“We were all so used to seeing it in one place that it was a big surprise.”
Nadiya has been inundated with offers and she’s happy with how life is.
She says: “I’d like to continue what I’m doing, I only pray and hope that it doesn’t end too soon.
“The things I’ve done since winning have gone beyond my wildest dreams.”
Nadiya credits her family for keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
She says: “To them being on TV is just my job now.
"My family balance my life, at home I’m just Mum and I’ve got to do the ironing and clean the house just like any other mum.
“To my parents my job isn’t any more important than my sister’s, who’s a pharmacist.”
Nadiya still makes time for baking and explains: “I just love baking and we have a rule in our house that our cake stand shouldn’t ever be empty and if it is it has to be filled immediately.
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“I always buy too many carrots each week so I usually end up baking a carrot cake to put on there — really I should just buy fewer carrots and make something different!
“I love cooking and am lucky because my kids are quite adventurous eaters.
“Their favourite thing to eat is cow’s tongue.
“I cook it in a curry and serve with lime pickle. It is delicious.”
And Nadiya’s plans for the future?
“I can’t look ahead too far — it makes me too nervous.
“If you look too far ahead there’s a danger of not enjoying what’s in front of you, and I’m trying to make sure I just enjoy every moment.”
The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain, £12.99, is out on January 12.