Nadiya Hussains BBC Exit: Star Power Fades

Nadiya Hussain was axed by the because her star had 'waned', her recipes became 'tired' and she became 'increasingly hard to work with', insiders have told the Daily Mail.

The former star claimed this week her religion as a Muslim was a factor in the Beeb's decision not to renew any of her shows after over a decade.

Nadiya previously told in a podcast she still has 'no idea' why she was quietly dropped by the BBC in June after ten years on our screens - after failing to receive a 'definitive reason' by bosses.

But in a new interview, Nadiya is now adamant her Muslim heritage was to blame, claiming that she is a victim of racism in the 'broken' TV industry and that her faith has 'made people uncomfortable'.

She said 'Suddenly I wasn't the same Nadiya that I was before, because before I was writing cookbooks that were for everybody, and now I wrote this book that didn't feel inclusive.'

But BBC sources insist Nadiya's claim her religion was a major factor in her being dropped 'couldn't be more wide of the mark', insisting the 41-year-old enjoyed a 'long and fruitful' stint with the broadcaster which came to a 'natural end.'

The insider said: 'Nadiya had a decent spell with the Beeb, not many chefs can say they've had a decade's worth of shows on various BBC channels.

'But the BBC is constantly trying to evolve and bring in new talent regarding their food programming, so it's simply the right time to focus on new personalities.'

On Nadiya's claims her Muslim heritage was a factor behind her axing, the insider added: 'That couldn't be more wide of the mark.

'Look at all the series she's made previously with the Beeb: The Chronicles of Nadiya? Nadiya's Asian Odyssey? She can't say they haven't embraced her roots.'

Meanwhile, a separate showbiz source told The Daily Mail there's a belief Nadiya's star has waned in recent years and she's not 'really kicked on' since winning Bake Off in 2015.

They also claim her recipes didn't excite viewers, amid rumors she became harder to work with.

The source said: 'Nadiya was a major star when she won Bake Off and big things were predicted.

'She landed shows on BBC, book deals and other endorsements, so she did well.

'But she's not really kicked onto the next level and it's been over ten years since she won Bake Off, there's new faces on the scene and she's in a battle with them now.

'Their recipes will naturally seem more exciting than Nadiya's, which feel tired in comparison.

'And given she's become increasingly harder to work with since her early days, now she become more famous, you can see why the BBC pulled the plug.'

The source added. 'It sounds all rather bitter linking her BBC axing to her religion.'

Scottish chef Lorna McNee, a former Great British Menu winner turned judge, and Ulsterman Alex Greene, another Great British Menu star who have gone into present shows for the BBC, are two emerging chefs the broadcaster is currently endorsing.

Nadiya earned similar backing from the Beeb following her Bake Off victory.

But following her axing and outspoken comments regarding 'whiteness' on TV, it appears Nadiya's ties with the broadcaster may have been cut for good, despite the BBC's claim the Milton Keynes-based chef 'remains a much-valued part of the BBC family' in the statement confirming no more shows are being planned with her.

After being dropped by the Beeb, Nadiya took on a job in a local primary school in a shock career switch.

But just weeks after starting the position she had to quit and made the heartbreaking revelation on her Instagram in an emotional post.

Wiping away tears, she said: 'Hi guys, giving you a life update that you didn't ask for but you are going to get anyway.

'So, as you guys know when the BBC cancelled my show, I was kind of at a crossroads, I wasn't sure where I was going, what I wanted to do.

'I had loads of options, I toyed with lots of options, open a business I could do a pop-up restaurant or kitchen, none of which appealed to me at the time.

'I'm still obviously publishing books, cookbooks which I will always love but I kind of reluctantly, you know I was scared, really scared to apply for jobs.'

Revealing how she was drawn to working in a school she continued: 'I've always wanted to work with children in younger years as a teaching assistant and I applied for a few jobs, which in itself was difficult for lots or reasons.

'I applied and got a job as a TA [teaching assistant] at a primary school and I've got to say, apart from raising my own children, it was one of the best jobs I've ever done.

''I loved every second of waking up in the morning with a spring in my step for these beautiful children. I just loved every second of doing that job.

'But unfortunately doing a job like that as somebody with a weakened immune system it just played havoc with my health.'

It is not known if Nadiya was paid for her TA post but an advert for her position in the January addition of the school newsletter revealed pay for the job was £20,000.

Latest company accounts for her business reveal she's worth almost £2million thanks to sales of her books.

It's likely they'll continue to be her biggest earner for the foreseeable future.