ANXIETY is part of who I am'

TV cook Nadiya Hussain on ageing, her career goals and pushing boundaries

Since she won The Great British Bake Off almost a decade ago, Nadiya Hussain has become a household S name. But her journey to success hasn't been an easy one. 'From week nine of GBBO and for weeks after, we had police presence outside our house,' Nadiya reveals in an interview with woman&home. 'It was that week that the racist abuse started, I think because they worked out I was making it to the final and they didn't want me there - whoever "they" are.' But, against the odds and the trolls, the mum of three has built a successful career for herself, most recently releasing her 12th cookbook and fronting a new BBC show, Nadiya's Cook Once, Eat Twice. The star, 39, opens up about dealing with anxiety, proving herself, and why her husband Abdal is her biggest supporter...

It's a milestone year for Nadiya. The star turns 40 on Christmas Day, and admits she isn't overjoyed by the thought of leaving her 30s behind. 'Earlier this year I was really nervous about it, because I feel like we're almost fed the idea that we should be afraid of getting older.'