The Great British Bake Off champion Nadiya Jamir Hussain has revealed her relief at finally being able to talk about her win.
She said: “I can’t even say it, because we’ve spent so long keeping it a secret. I feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
There were times when she was “teetering on the edge” of giving it away before the final, she said.
“There have been a couple of times when I’ve been like, ‘Oh God! It’s coming out! Pull yourself together!’.”
The Luton-born 30-year-old, who now lives in Leeds, said: “I haven’t slept for the last 24 hours. It’s been mad. It’s really hard to sleep when you’re on a high.
“I’m trying to soak it all in, enjoy every moment, and then take it as it comes.”
Speaking at a photocall and book signing for hundreds of fans at Waterstones in London’s Piccadilly, she said: “Now that people stop us and chat with us – it’s weird, it’s surreal, but it’s so much fun to know there are people out there supporting you.”
She revealed the series six contestants had started their own Bake Off group on the WhatsApp messaging network.
Nadiya, who comes from a Bangladeshi background, said: “In a family where I’m the only one that bakes, it’s nice to have something in common with other people who bake.
“We share tips and tricks and it’s always nice to have a chat with them.”
A highlight of this year’s show for fans was Nadiya’s range of facial expressions.
“I really didn’t know that my face was that expressive. My sister said, ‘Oh yeah, we knew your face did that’.
“I was like, ‘You could have warned me before I went on national television with that face’.
“I can see that my emotions match my face, and I can watch that back, so it’s really bizarre.”
Many previous Bake Off winners and finalists have brought out cookbooks since the show, and Nadiya said: “If the opportunity were to arise then I would love to do a cookbook. Absolutely.”
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