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Nadiya Hussain has opened up about the unique relationship she has with her mother Asma who she said is 'not a massive hugger'.
The former Great British Bake Off winner, 41, has said there was an 'emotional distance' between the pair when she was growing up.
But, speaking on Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4, Nadiya insisted her mother simply expresses love in a way that is different to most.
She said: 'I grew up in a home where food was the way we showed emotion, especially for my mum. My mum's not a massive hugger. But when you go and see her, she'll feed you and that's her way of saying, I love you.'
Presenter Clare McDonnell said: 'You've spoken about the emotional distance you had with your mother.'
'I feel her love,' Nadiya replied. 'It's not... I suppose it's almost tainted in expectation because I think, "oh well that's how we should show love with hugs and I love yous."
Nadiya Hussain has opened up about the unique relationship she has with her mother Asma who she said is 'not a massive hugger'
The former Great British Bake Off winner, 41, has said there was an 'emotional distance' between the pair when she was growing up
'But actually, the way my mum showed love and the way her mum showed love was through food. Essentially, I'm doing the exact same thing. Difference is, I say I love you a lot and it irritates my kids.'
It comes after Nadiya revealed she's working as a teaching assistant following her cookery shows being axed by the BBC last year.
The TV chef, who won the sixth series of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, said that she still has 'no idea' why she was dropped, but as a result had mostly turned her back on showbiz, despite offers from ITV and CH4.
Speaking to Woman & Home she said: 'I’m currently working as a teaching assistant at a lovely little primary school. The plan is to gain some training and maybe in the future become a teacher.
'I had to do an application form, an interview, go in and sit in with the kids, and see how they reacted to me. I did get people ringing me, asking: "Sorry, is this actually the Nadiya Hussain?" and I’m like: "Yes, it is and I am looking for a job, and I would like an opportunity".'
Nadiya has hosted a number of television shows over the past decade with the BBC, saying the axe left her questioning who she was due to cooking being her 'whole personality'.
Admitting that while some people have questioned why she would choose to 'go back to the bottom', the star explained being famous does not equate happiness.
'There have been lots of tears, sadness and judgement. People [close to me] have asked: "Why would you go from being here, right at the top to being at the bottom?" but I don’t see it that way. Just because I’m famous doesn’t mean I’m at the top. I have been at my lowest at the top.
She said: 'My mum's not a massive hugger. But when you go and see her, she'll feed you and that's her way of saying, I love you'
It comes after Nadiya revealed she's working as a teaching assistant following her cookery shows being axed by the BBC last year
'So what does being at the top really mean? Since working at the school, I’ve had some of my highest moments.'
And speaking about the axe Nadiya, who is continuing to write cookery books, said: 'I appreciate that it’s an industry, it’s a business and it’s about making money, but I still don’t know [why they’ve let me go] because I haven’t had a conversation with anyone. There are no answers, no closure.'
In a statement at the time, the BBC said: ‘After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment. Nadiya remains a much-valued part of the BBC family, and we look forward to working together on future projects.'
She went on to explain that despite receiving offers for more TV work, being in front of the camera was not something she was interested in at the moment, but when she is ready, she will be making some changes.
'I got offers from [channels like] C4 and ITV. For now, it’s not something that I want to do. I want a real relationship with broadcasters where we’re making television that means something. If I was doing another cookery show, I’d like a little bit more creative input.
'That being said, cooking aside, I would love to do documentaries and travelogues about issues that matter to people, and I would love to continue to write cookbooks, because the best part of doing this job is being able to share recipes and help people in the kitchen.'
English (US) ·