The Apprentice flooded with complaints over 'brutal' interviews
Warning: Major spoilers!
Last updated 17th Mar 2023
If you're a fan of The Apprentice, you'll no doubt be aware that the penultimate episode which features the interview stages can be pretty brutal! But this year, viewers have accused the show of taking things too far, with many making complaints after the episode on Thursday 16th March.
Warning: The below article contains major spoilers about The Apprentice!
Thursday night's (16th March) episode featured the final five Dani Donovan, Megan Hornby, Victoria Goulbourne, Rochelle Anthony, and Marnie Swindells being grilled by Lord Sugar's aides; Claude Littner, Karren Brady, Mike Soutar and the infamous Linda Plant, who all totally ripped apart the finalist's business plans.
At one stage in the episode, Megan thanked Karren for her time, to which the CEO of West Ham United Football Club said: "It's Baronness Brady to you, my friends call me Karren."
Although the interview stage has been awkward to watch in previous years, fans of the show were quick to take to social media following last night's episode, with many accusing the show of 'bullying' this year's candidates, with many of them being reduced to tears following the interviews.
One wrote: '@bbcapprentice I've been in business for 40 years, I love the apprentice TV program. But last nights bullying was horrendous to watch, if that happened in real interview you should be prosecuted. Where was positive side? And spelling and grammar has nothing to do with business'. (sic)
Another wrote: '@BBCOne and it’s leadership team need to review tonight’s programme as to whether it is really ok to belittle and frankly bully individuals to the point of making them cry. It’s not acceptable in any modern workplace.' (sic)
Another shocked viewer then gasped: 'There is a fine line between entertainment and humiliating potential talent that should have been nurtured during the 'process'. The production team should help refine the business plans during the process, rather than send candidates to interview slaughter'. (sic)
A fourth added: 'This isn't a hard business interview and public humiliation and bullying. I would never want to work with any of these people if that's how they treat potential business parents. The candidates are all poor. But it fella like they were chosen just so they could be humiliated'. (sic)
Following the tough interviews, Lord Alan Sugar made the decision to fire Dani Donovan, Megan Hornby and Victoria Goulbourne in the boardroom, meaning Rochelle Anthony and Marnie Swindells have made it into the final.
Check out the most successful winners of The Apprentice below:
Ricky Martin
Series: 8
Year: 2012
Company: Hyper Recruitment Solutions
Net assets: £2,260,000
Tom Pellereau
Series: 7
Year: 2011
Company: Stylideas
Net assets: £1,370,000
Dr Leah Totton
Series: 9
Year: 2013
Company: Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics
Net assets: £664,490
Alana Spencer
Series: 12
Year: 2016
Company: Ridiculously Rich by Alana
Net assets: £494,740
Mark Wright
Series: 10
Year: 2014
Company: Climb Online
Net assets: £471,940
Carina Lepore
Series: 15
Year: 2019
Company: Dough Artisan Bakehouse
Net assets: £260,300
Sarah Lynn
Series: 13
Year: 2017
Company: Sweets In The City
Net assets: £220,080
Sian Gabbidon
Series: 14
Year: 2018
Company: Sian Marie Fashion
Net assets: £130,280
James White
Series: 13
Year: 2017
Company: Right Time Recruitment
Net assets: £92,210
Harpreet Kaur
Series: 16
Year: 2022
Company: Oh So Yum
Net assets: £2,600
The 2023 final of The Apprentice will air on Thursday 23rd March, where Marnie and Rochelle will battle it out to become Lord Sugar's next business partner.
Now read:
The Apprentice's most successful winners to date
The Apprentice star announces pregnancy following firing
Applications for the next series of The Apprentice are now open