The latest Apprentice candidates to be fired by Lord Sugar have been revealed – and we weren’t permitted to speak to one of them.
For the latest episode, the final five candidates took part in the dreaded interviews with four of the business tycoon’s most trusted advisers, including right-hand man Claude Littner.
Things didn’t end too well for 19-year-old librarian Lottie Lion, though, who was sent home alongside Lewis Ellis and Pamela Laird after their business plans were put under scrutiny.
Download the new Indpendent Premium app
Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
Following her firing, we expected to speak with Lion about her controversial time on the show – especially considering we’ve spoken to every fired candidate so far.
However, the show’s production said that “Lottie will not be invited to participate in any further activity relating to The Apprentice.”
This also rules her out of appearances on spin-off shows You’re Fired and You’re Hired.
It is currently unknown whether she’ll be one of the fired candidates who annually return to assist either Scarlett Allen-Horton or Carina Leopore in the finals task.
While unconfirmed, it is strongly suspected that the BBC cut ties with Lion after an interview with The Sun last week, which saw her criticise the channel’s bosses for the way she has been treated in the wake of a race storm.
Earlier this series, it was reported that Lion referred to fellow contestant Lubna Farhan as “Gandhi” in a WhatsApp group chat ahead of the premiere of this year’s series.
Lion admitted to sending the message but continues to claim that everyone in the group chat – including Farhan, whose parents hail from Pakistan – laughed off her comment at the time.
Following the race row, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “While this happened on a private messenger service once filming had concluded, the BBC nevertheless still expects the candidates to behave appropriately.
“The production company have looked into the issue and reported back, Lion has been informed that her comments were wholly unacceptable and is in no doubt about our view on this.”
In the interview, Lion claims she was told by bosses that despite them “knowing she wasn’t a racist”, they “had to be seen” to be punishing her anyway.
The Apprentice final will be broadcast next Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One
