HAPPY FAMILIES: ‘I THOUGHT I'D COME OUT OF LOCKDOWN HATING MY HUSBAND – BUT IT'S Y HUSBAND – BUT IT'S MADE US STRONGER'

BAKE OFF CHAMPION NADIYA HUSSAIN ON LOCKDOWN WHY SHE’D NEVER ARRANGE HER OWN CHILDREN’S MARRIAGES AND WHY SHE’S SAYING NO TO HAVING ANOTHER BABY

- EMILY WHITWAM

Since baking her way to fame when she was crowned the winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya Hussain’s life has changed beyond belief. The talented 36-year-old has gone on to write cookbooks, a novel, children’s books and even fronted a BBC documentary on anxiety – something she’s battled all her life.

Sharing and caring comes naturally to Nadiya, she tells us. In fact, when we give her a call for a catch-up, the cake connoisseur has just returned from dropping food around to her neighbours.

“We have a very open door in our house,” she beams. “We believe as Muslims that your neighbours are your family and you should look after them first.”

She married her husband Abdal in an arranged marriage 15 years ago, and the couple have three children, Musa, 14, Dawud, 13, and 10-year-old Maryam.

Here, the TV chef opens up about the secret to their happy marriage, learning to put herself first and life in lockdown…

Hey Nadiya! What’s it been like being a busy mum to three children in lockdown?

Having two teenage boys at home during a pandemic has been interesting [laughs]. At the beginning we were very regimented and strict, telling them they can’t fall behind. But actually, over time, we just stopped putting pressure on them. We’re very relaxed at the moment. Everyone is going to have to catch up at some point. I was a mess when they went back to school! It was sadness mixed with excitement and a little bit of fear. We’re scared they might get sick, so we’re feeling really nervous but positive that we’re making steps towards finding the light at the end of the tunnel.