She's voiced her dislike for this year's series of The Apprentice after taking part in the BBC One business competitiion in 2022, and Amy Anzel raised eyebrows as she launched a petition to replace Lord Alan Sugar at the helm. Amy, who was fired halfway through the process by the business magnate, is calling for the Amstrad founder to be switched for Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett.
Amy, the owner of Hollywood Browzer Beauty, shared a petition on her social media saying: "Offiicial petition for Lord Sugar to be replaced by Steven Barlett before The Apprentice is ruined beyond repair."
Her petition prompted 2023 winner Marnie Swindells , who won £250,000 of investment from Lord Sugar for her boxing gym business, to respond with the message: "Have a day off." And she added a yawning emoji.
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But Amy clapped back: "I’m not the only one thinking it Marnie - and I’m certain you wouldn’t be supporting Lord Sugar if you were made to look a complete fool, like the rest of the candidates on your series have been… its not a show that’s about business anymore, it’s about cruelty and car crash TV x"
Steven himself also replied to Amy, saying he wouldn't replace Lord Sugar, 76. "Ahahah just being honest, I would + could never - there's only one Lord Sugar! But I appreciate it, Amy x" said the 30-year-old founder and former CEO of social media marketing agency The Social Chain, which he set up from his bedroom in Manchester.
@stopwaitaminute told Steven and Amy: "Dragons Den is a better programme too. The Apprentice is becoming too silly." @laurajayne_A agreed with Amy: "Me an my husband said exactly the same last week." And Clair of Hull said: "Signed and shared."
But @Mr_Norsworthy tweeted: "Still a great show. Highly entertaining and gets my blood pressure up seeing so many mistakes. @Lord_Sugar is so relevant and straight taking. @karren_brady is a class act too."
@JoJo_Elizabeth_ commented: "This is not what a petition should be used for... sigh. I back @Lord_Sugar and The Apprentice and always have, @MarnieSwindells has changed the direction of what businesses he invests in and I'm here for it."
@cedgson91 disagreed: "No, sorry. It wouldn’t be the Apprentice without him." @andyacechambers exclaimed: "Absolutely not, he’s class!" And @bronco_lane2002 argued: "Sugar is one of the best parts of it."
While @FactsDragrace said: "I absolutely agree with you that the show is no longer really about business, and puts emphasis on mocking its contestants, but I think at this point that’s why people still watch it. Not saying it’s right, but I think those who enjoy it now know what they’re watching/enjoying."
Marnie from Manchester is using her investment to franchise her Bronx boxing gym in London. She beat salon owner Rochelle Anthony in the final on Thursday night.
Amy was unimpressed to be shown the door from the contest with a scathing dig about her not becoming a project manager, despite her being sub team leader in four out of six tasks. Lord Sugar referenced how she had lived in Los Angeles and asked her if she was an 'LA Dodger'.
He sniped: "You dodged the project management side of things, you've been here six weeks to show that you can do something, and you haven't shown me you can do something. And so it is with regret that you're fired. Thank you."
Earlier this month, in a move blasted as 'awkward', Amy found herself blocked on Twitter by the business tycoon. Amy tweeted about being blocked: “AWKWARD @Lord_Sugar, I always knew you didn’t like me and couldn’t WAIT to fire me last year! It’s time to turn your firing finger upon yourself." And she added: "It’s time for your retirement! x" Over on her Instagram she wrote alongside the blocked notification: "Wearing it like a badge of honour."
Last month Amy said she believes it's time for a shake-up for the show, which launched back in 2005, saying it should be more celebratory of the achievements. She told the Manchester Evening News: "I believe it's making fools of people and no-one takes it seriously anymore. People think the candidates are jokes and it's a set-up, but they have to look dumb to make for car crash TV."
Amy also said she believes it's time for Lord Sugar to bow out to make way for a new tycoon running the show. The British entrepreneur has agreed to do two more series, taking him to his 19th, and he's said he'd be "delighted to do a 20th." "It's time for new blood and Richard Branson would bring a new era," she said. "To me it poorly represents entrepreneurs in the UK." Representatives for The Apprentice declined to comment.
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