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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

The Apprentice's Aaron slams claim he 'bullied' co-stars and made them cry off camera

The Apprentice and Aaron Willis have denied reported claims of bullying on the set of the BBC show.

The channel has stated it is "categorically untrue that scenes were edited" to exclude allegedly "explosive scenes".

It's been reported that axed contestant Aaron, 38, reduced some of his fellow candidates to tears in unaired scenes.

Former RAF man Aaron has strongly denied the claims he 'acted aggressively' as he tried to impress Lord Alan Sugar in the latest series of The Apprentice.

Aaron spoke out after it was alleged that one contestant was upset following a heated debate with Aaron during the baby food challenge, which aired on Thursday.

Aaron Willis has denied engaging in bullying behaviour during his stint on The Apprentice (BBC/Boundless/Ray Burmiston)

It was also alleged that two other candidates, were left 'taken aback' after the girls' team beat the boys in the opening task of the series.

A source told The Sun that some of Aaron's fellow candidates 'felt bullied' and "three were visibly upset."

Aaron has stated he finds the claims disappointing and said his conduct was always in line with the clear guidelines in place on the show.

Aaron got the boot during the latest episode of the BBC show (BBC/Naked)

"These accusations have no foundation and I find it disappointing that someone would decide to make these claims now, and in such a public way," he said in a statement.

"Conversations can get heated during the process, but at no point was my conduct not compliant with the clear guidelines put in place by the producers.”

A spokesman for the BBC show added: "The welfare of all our candidates is of paramount importance and we have robust duty of care protocols in place to support them.

Aaron and the boys during the opening episode of this year's series (BBC / Freemantle)

"It is categorically untrue that scenes were edited out in order to cover up claims of bullying."

There has been a shake-up to the usual format of The Apprentice this year after a surprise double firing will see just four candidates go through to the interview stage, rather than the usual five.

Lord Sugar said he had been left with no choice after eliminating both Aaron and contestant Akeem Bundu-Kamara after a disastrous week.

Akeem was fired on Thursday night, despite not being on a losing team, as Lord Sugar took the decision to give him the boot before the interview stage.

It's almost time to find out who will win The Apprentice this year (PA)

Aaron also got the boot, after leading his team to getting no orders in a task in which the teams had to develop a new baby food.

It leaves an all-female line-up for the final rounds, with Stephanie Affleck, Brittany Carter, Kathryn Louise and Harpreet Kaur all hope they have the winning idea to become the mogul's new business partner.

This year's final of The Apprentice will air on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 24 March.

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