Britain’s Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain has opened up about the encouraging message she received from Mary Berry ahead of the start of her new show.
During an interview with Digital Spy to celebrate the release of her upcoming TV show Cook Once, Eat Twice, the 2015 winner said: “I met Maria a few years ago at an event, and she told my husband :” I hope to do it. him that is until I do.”
“For me, it was a blessing from a really wonderful human being, and I thought, ‘I’ll take it.'” Hussain also recalled the challenges he faced during his time on Bake Off.
“At first it was simple things like getting on the train,” he said. “I couldn’t do such a thing. I had three panic attacks the first time I had to take the train to Newbury to film Bake Off, but I was determined to do it.”
She continued: “[I had] a big suitcase with a lot of boxes shaking around. Everyone was looking at me and asking me, ‘Where is he going? Why was his suitcase shaking?’
“Imagine, I’m a Muslim woman. I said to myself: “What am I doing here on this train with a broken suitcase? For the love of God? It was really stressful. Hussain later explained that he has overcome “much bigger challenges” since then.
“Having my kids travel for three weeks to film a show without really understanding what it meant and how I would benefit from it [was a challenge],” she said. “They were really small.
“Now I see the benefits. My children are independent and I can do the work I want. So yes, I set myself challenges that I never imagined I would take on.
“I’m still afraid, but I’m ready to face it. This is the difference between me today and 10 years ago.”