The BBC was flooded with complaints following The Apprentice on Thursday, March 16. The episode in question saw the remaining candidates given a grilling by Lord Sugar’s advisors as they do what they can to become his next business partner.
Claude Littner, Karren Brady, Mike Soutar and Linda Plant tore apart the candidates’ business plans. In one brutal exchange, Baroness Brady told Megan Horby that her business plan to launch an online sweet business was as "crazy as it comes" and had "no depth or substance" - read more about that here.
At the end of the episode, Lord Sugar chose to fire three businesswomen - Dani, Megan and Victoria - while Marnie and Rochelle made it to The Apprentice final. Let us know in the comments below who you’d like to win.
Read more: BBC The Apprentice: Who are the 2023 finalists?
Viewers took to social media as they complained the candidates were being 'bullied' - with some insisting they would no longer watch the BBC show. One person wrote: "#TheApprentice the interviewers appear to be bullying the finalists. They are not interviewing. This is the last time I watch the Apprentice."
"Actually finding this episode uncomfortable. Bullying these woman for not being confident enough? Imaginary numbers not good enough and some small spelling mistakes? This isn't Dragons' Den. This is a show that's open to anyone with a business idea not CEOs ffs," a second commented.
A third agreed, writing: "These interviews are actually just nasty. All for the cutting remarks and quips but some of this is just bullying." And a fourth said: "This is on the verge of bullying …" Catherine Thomas agreed: "This is getting unpleasant - borderline bullying."
The Apprentice final airs at 9pm on BBC One on Thursday, March 23. For more TV and showbiz stories, subscribe to our newsletter here.
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