'I like bunting and cake like anyone else': Muslim Bake Off favourite Nadiya Hussain talks about being British... and reveals she has more in common with Mary Berry than you might think

PUBLISHED: 00:55, 29 September 2015 | UPDATED: 08:37, 29 September 2015

Their cheerful smiles and skill around an oven have seen them both win the hearts of the nation.

But these are not the only characteristics that make Great British Bake Off contestant Nadiya Hussain the modern day Mary Berry.

Like Miss Berry, 80, the Muslim mother-of-three, 30, was encouraged into baking by an inspiring teacher who took the time to foster her love of cooking.

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'I like bunting and cake like anyone else': Bake Off favourite Nadiya Hussain has revealed she was worried viewers would not accept her as a British baker

Heading into the final weeks of Bake Off’s sixth series, which has attracted almost 9.5million viewers per episode, full-time mother Miss Hussain said wearing a headscarf does not make her any less British, explaining, ‘just because I’m not a stereotypical British person, it doesn’t mean that I am not into bunting, tea and cake.’

She revealed to The Radio Times that she would practise her baking until the early hours of the morning after putting her children – aged nine, eight and four – to bed.

She said: ‘I would get the children to bed and then I’d practise until about two or three in the morning. I would do the same recipe every day until I got it right. I couldn’t do it in the day as I had all the housework to do – but once the kids were in bed and I had nobody bothering me or asking me for things, I could focus completely on what I had to do’.

'I’m not a stereotypical British person': The popular contestant confessed she was nervous before the show aired on television

'I love making British classics': Her love of baking can be traced back to the age of 12, when she attended Challney High School in Luton

Her love of baking can be traced back to the age of 12, when she attended Challney High School in Luton. One teacher in particular, Mrs Marshall, took it upon herself to encourage the young girl, even getting her to help prepare for the baking classes.

Mrs Hussain recalled: ‘I had to make puff pastry in my first class. I remember my teacher Mrs Marshall saying I was really good. I got so into it that when Mrs Marshall used to prepare for her next class at lunchtime I would sneak in and watch her. She never minded. Eventually she said I could give her a hand. Over four years I got quite good.

‘I love making British classics, things that Mrs Marshall taught me. I wonder if she has been watching Bake Off, because she was definitely the person who inspired me’.

Although being among the judges favourites in five of the eight weeks of Bake Off so far – even winning star baker twice – Mrs Hussain admits she was nervous of what viewers would make of her appearance.

Hot talent: The contestant has been among the judges' favourites in five of the eight weeks of Bake Off so far – even winning star baker twice

Doting wife and mother: Coming from a Bangladeshi background, she said deserts are not usual in her culture but added that her bakes are now seen as a must have for every meal by her children and IT consultant husband

She said: ‘Originally, I was a bit nervous that perhaps people would look at me, a Muslim in a headscarf, and wonder if I could bake. But I hope that week by week people have realised that I can bake – and just because I’m not a stereotypical British person, it doesn’t mean that I am not into bunting, cake and tea.

‘I’m just as British as anyone else, and I hope I have proved that. I think the show is a fantastic representation of British society today. The feedback I have had reveals how accepting people are of different cultures and religions. Now people know who I am, I can see how tolerant and accepting British society is’.

Coming from a Bangladeshi background, she said deserts are not usual in her culture but added that her bakes are now seen as a must have for every meal by her children and IT consultant husband.

The other remaining contestants on Bake Off’s sixth series are Tamal Ray, 28, Ian Cumming, 42, and Flora Shedden, 19.

'I would love to have a boyfriend': Tamal Ray, 28, revealed that he is currently single

Read the full interview in this week's issue of Radio Times magazine, out now

Mr Ray admitted in the interview to the unusual superstitions he had to follow before each show, including wearing ‘lucky socks’ and eating sushi.

The anaesthetist, who also revealed he is gay, said: ‘I became quite superstitious during the filming process. Firstly, I had to have sushi on the way to each episode. There were two weeks when I did really badly, and those were the weeks when I didn’t have sushi, so from then on it was a must. I wore my lucky socks, too. I’m a Hindu, and I prayed quite a lot. I usually pray for other people, I don’t normally ask for things, but that changed. I suppose there is a God of Food, but I didn’t pray to him. I just prayed in a general sense and sent it out there’.

He has become something of a heartthrob to viewers, who often post pictures, videos and messages on social media highlighting his good looks. Presenter Sue Perkins has encouraged the craze, dubbing his fans The Tamal Appreciation Society.

But asked if he had a girlfriend, he replied: ‘I wouldn’t have a girlfriend, I would have a boyfriend, but I am single at the moment. Although, yes, I have had a few offers on Twitter!’

Miss Shedden, an art history student at St Andrews University, described her experience on the show as ‘surreal’ adding that she has had ‘a few marriage proposals – some of which my mother thinks I should take up’.

Mr Cumming, a photographer, revealed he had to turn down work for almost three months to make time for Bake Off and that he only applied because his wife wanted to attend the tea party at the end of the series.

Read the full interview in this week's issue of Radio Times magazine, out now