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THE APPRENTICE has cemented its place as one of Britain’s most iconic TV shows, celebrated for its glitzy boardroom, hapless contestants, and inevitable chaos.

Under the watchful eye of Lord Sugar, hopeful entrepreneurs have been willing to do whatever it takes to avoid elimination – even if it means betraying teammates or sparking fiery confrontations.

While drama has always been part of its appeal, the show has gained a reputation in recent years for controversy that extends beyond the usual squabbles.

From cheating allegations to racism debates and accusations of bullying, The Apprentice has seen its fair share of headline-making moments.

Here, we delve into the most shocking incidents that defined the show’s legacy.

Star found with half-naked rival

Despite not even airing yet, the 19th series of The Apprentice has already hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The Sun revealed last week how one contestant was found with a half-naked rival in her hotel room during filming.

Amber-Rose Badrudin and the unnamed fella broke strict “no touching” rules while in Turkey for the series.

A source told us: “They were read the riot act.”

Amorous entrepreneur Amber-Rose wrote a love letter to the male contestant who was undressed in her hotel room — before splitting from her boyfriend of four years.

The 24-year-old later told fans she had broken up with her business partner Michael Nguyen but failed to admit why.

Production bosses enforced the no-sex rule after years of candidates forming relationships.

Another passionate tryst

Last year, The Sun on Sunday revealed that two candidates enjoyed a passionate tryst in the show’s £17million London mansion.

Bosses held showdown meetings with candidates, reminding them of the sex ban in their contracts.

The unnamed pair were said to have struck up a bond after 18 hopefuls moved into the pad.

All candidates agreed to a clause prohibiting “any intimate physical contact and/or sexual activity” with rivals or film crew.

A telly insider revealed: “One day candidates were all pulled into a meeting and everybody was spoken to.

“They were told it had been brought to the attention of producers that two people were having interpersonal relationships in the downstairs area of the house, where there is a gym and sauna.

“Everyone was reminded of the rules, but the rumoured fling was already an open secret.”

But while a few fireworks are expected every season, The Apprentice has, in recent years, become synonymous with scandal.

The BBC show has seen cheating dramas, race rows, and bullying accusations – to name a few; here we recount the most shocking.

Amy’s final ‘ban’ after Lord Sugar row

Fired candidate Amy Anzel was BANNED from the final celebration show, after a tit-for-tat exchange over Lord Sugar’s mocking tweets.

In the wake of then-48-year-old Amy’s firing, a not-so-sweet Lord Sugar tweeted: “Amy didn’t sell she was so slow. Slower than broadband Wi-Fi in Cornwall.”

Cosmetics entrepreneur Amy responded by emailing Lord Sugar, telling him his tweets were “nasty, hurtful and insulting”.

She’s since been dropped from spin-off show You’re Hired, which will air tonight after the final.

Series winner quits after 4 months

PA:Press Association

Michelle Dewberry won the second series of The Apprentice[/caption]

A true Apprentice success story, telecoms consultant Michelle Dewberry appeared in the second series of the show in 2006.

After impressing Lord Sugar, Michelle was duly hired by the business supremo – back in the day when the prize was a six-figure job rather than an investment.

But Michelle lasted just four months before she sensationally quit her lucrative new role, which she’d beaten over 15,000 applicants to win.

She went on to launch a number of money-saving websites, and stood as an MP before becoming a familiar face on TV as a pundit and presenter. She is thought to be worth around £3.5million.

Lottie race row

The 2019 series saw one of the show’s most shocking scandals, when librarian Lottie Lion was accused of racially abusing a fellow contestant.

Lottie, then 19, allegedly threatened Asian rival Lubna Farhan, 33, after the pair clashed in a WhatsApp group chat containing that year’s contestants.

“Seriously f*** off Lubna before I f****** knock you out,” Lottie said in the wake of an argument.

In a separate clash Lubna wrote: “Sometimes people with a character are characterless.” Lottie replied: “Shut up Ghandi [sic] that doesn’t even make sense.”

The Sun revealed the shocking messages after a friend of one of the candidates saw them and deemed them racist.

After the story broke, Lottie said: “I appreciate the messages sent between myself and Lubna could come across as offensive but they were intended as a joke and no offence was meant by them.”

Boardroom scrap

We’re used to tensions running high in the boardroom, but in 2015 a disagreement between two candidates spilled over – for the first time – into a physical bust-up.  

Events manager Selina Waterman-Smith, then 31, was given a verbal warning by show bosses for her role in an off-camera scrap with Charleine Wain, also then 31.

Eyewitnesses said a furious Selina gave her rival a shove as she was leaving the boardroom. Charleine was reportedly shocked, and didn’t retaliate.

The pair’s animosity had been brewing all season, and things got physical following an argument where Charleine had told Lord Sugar that Selina was “like a irritating wasp at a picnic”.

PM steps down during task after coup

PA:Press Association

Jason and Luisa were involved in the show’s first ever coup[/caption]

Viewers were treated to another Apprentice first in 2013, when Luisa Zissman staged the show’s first ever coup.

The scandalous episode saw rival teams competing to design a dating site, but there was heartbreak in store for project manager Jason Leech.

There was clearly no love lost between Jason and rival Luisa, who accused Jason of being chronically indecisive before pushing him into stepping down as PM.

Jason duly made way, allowing Luisa to take over mid-task – in the show’s first ever abdication.

Lord Sugar didn’t take kindly to Jason’s meekness, and the deposed project manager was duly fired.

Secret ‘bullying’ scandal

BBC

Aaron Willis (back row, second from right) has been accused of bullying by three other candidates – Navid (back row second left), Harry (far left) and Kathryn[/caption]

Former RAF man Aaron Willis, 38, found himself at the centre of a secret “bullying” row this season after he was accused of “acting aggressively” in “explosive scenes” which never aired.

Navid Sole, 27, Harry Mahmood, 38, and Kathryn Burn, 29, all reportedly clashed with Aaron, and were left shocked and upset by his behaviour.

A source said: “Things often get heated but some scenes Aaron was in were explosive. He has a military background and doesn’t pull many punches.

“Some candidates felt bullied. Three were visibly upset. The BBC hasn’t shown those scenes. Some people think that was deliberate.”

Aaron said in response: “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.

“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.”

Race row over BAME eliminations

In series 15, irate viewers accused the show if being “racist” after seven black and ethnic minority candidates were fired early on.

Shahin Hassan, Kenna Ngoma, Souleyman Bah and Lubna Farhan were the first four contestants to get the boot.

They were followed out by Riyonn Farsad, Iasha Masood and Jemelin Artigas – meanwhile Lottie Lion remained, despite her confrontational behaviour and accusation of behind-the-scenes racism – which she denied.

Viewers claimed the sackings were “white privilege at work”, with one tweeting: “Just an observation: ALL the ethnic candidates have GONE (including Jemelin). This is some foul sh*t this year. #TheApprentice.”

Four’s company

One of the show’s sauciest scandals occurred in 2016, when producers were forced to step in after the contestants started getting a bit too close.

Make-up artist Grainne McCoy and marketing exec Paul Sullivan reportedly kissed, while ex-stripper Jessica Cunningham and Courtney Wood also cosied up in the house.

The four contestants would regularly disappear in the house, according to show sources, and both couples would be found in bed, making out under the covers.

At one point producers even had to step in.

The boys were told to go back to their own beds, but a relationship between Jessica and Courtney blossomed after the show.

Scandi ‘night of passion’

In 2019, Lottie Lion found herself making headlines again – this time because of her fling with 28-year-old fellow contestant Lewis Ellis.

Lottie, 19, hooked up with the digital marketing manager while they were on a task trip to Finland.

A source said: “It was no secret among hopefuls that Lottie and Lewis had a night of passion together while abroad on a task.

“They tried to keep it on the down-low but word soon spread.”

Cheating shock

The Apprentice was rocked by an affair in 2017, when contestants Jade English and eventual winner James White got together.

James was engaged at the time and Jade had a boyfriend, whom she had been with for three years.

Both contestants left their partners to be with each other.

In a post on her website, Jade, 25, explained how she and James, 26, built on their “genuine connection” to become “extremely close”.

“There was clearly an attraction from the beginning,” a source told The Sun at the time. “They’re both young and attractive people and they really got along during the process.

“They couldn’t resist getting to know each other that bit better during their time in the house.”

AJ Pritchard claims Ekin-Su Culculoglu should have been removed from the Love Island villa after her fiery row with his brother Curtis.

On Friday night All Stars viewers watched Ekin-Su tip the contents of her drinks glass over Curtis’s knee as tensions flared.

Rex

AJ Pritchard said that if the roles were reversed, Curtis would have been sent packing by bosses.[/caption]

Addressing the incident in a Q&A on social media, AJ said if the roles were reversed Curtis would have been a goner.

He said: “If it was a guy doing that to a girl, they’d probably be removed from the show. It wasn’t on his face; it was on his legs.”

His girlfriend Zara Zoffany added: “No, no, she missed, so that was really lucky for her.”

AJ then said: “But certain actions, like that, are childish. Whatever heated debate or argument you’re having, it’s bad.”

The fiery moment came after Curtis admitted he had led Ekin on following the latest recoupling shake-up, where bombshell Danielle Sellers picked him.

Sitting down for a tense chat, Curtis confessed: “I’ll be completely honest with you. I lied to you.”

Ekin-Su was left fuming, feeling played after Curtis revealed he hadn’t been “100% honest” and admitted that he should never have told her he was closed off.

He explained that Danielle’s decision caught him off guard but Ekin-Su wasn’t having any of it.

She accused him of making up “bulls**t,” calling him a liar.

Ekin-Su stood up and dashed her drink at him before storming off, declaring: “You don’t exist to me. You’re done. Dusted.”

As the villa gasped she then turned her sights on Danielle, sarcastically wishing her “good luck” with Curtis.

The drama kicked off when Danielle shocked the villa by choosing Curtis in the latest recoupling.

The boys later called Curtis out for not sticking to his word, after he had previously told them he planned to have a conversation with Danielle but never did.

After the fallout with Ekin-Su, Curtis pulled Danielle aside to explain himself.

He admitted that he was originally going to tell her he was closed off, but decided he didn’t want to.

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31. January 2025. 22:26 ist Blackpink’s Jennie has dropped a new single exploring a poisonous but intoxicating relationship with Riverdale’s ...

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DEAR DEIDRE: THERE is a young woman who catches the train every day from the station where I’m the guard – and I’m longing to ask her out.

She looks about 25 and is so pretty. I’m 23 and was immediately drawn to her.

I make a point of saying good morning as she passes through the station. She always gives me such a warm smile in return.

I’ve worked at the same station since I finished my apprenticeship.

The lads from the station tell me I should invite her for a drink but I’m worried that if she doesn’t like me, she’ll think I’m harassing her.

I could be reported to my manager for chatting to a passenger during work time.

I’m new to all this. I’ve never asked anyone out before. Can you help?

DEIDRE SAYS: Why not make small talk next time you see her. That way, she will know you are interested.

The fact she smiles is a good sign. Be ready for the fact that she may have a partner or may not want a relationship – but if you don’t ask her out, you’ll never know.

It couldn’t be seen as wasting time on the job, or harassment, simply to ask her to meet you for a coffee out of working hours.

You may be taking “customer relations” to the next level but what is wrong with that?

If there’s a spark when you chat, think about taking things further by arranging a date.

DEAR DEIDRE: A TEXT sent to my boyfriend by his ex said, “The sex was fantastic”.

Why won’t she leave us alone? She’s always been a pain.

Their relationship ended three years ago but she’s always messaging him and now I think they are having sex.

They have a son together. My boyfriend is 31 and I’m 28. His ex is 33.

I thought he’d never kept secrets from me but he left his phone on the kitchen table and something told me to look at his messages last weekend. His ex said she really missed the sex with him.

I scrolled through previous messages and it was obvious to me that they still sleep together when he visits his son, who is four.

I told him what I’d found and he denied it, saying he didn’t know what I was on about.

He won’t talk to me about her and doesn’t understand why I’m upset.

DEIDRE SAYS: His little boy is part of his life so you have to accept that but what you do not have to accept is his betrayal and gaslighting.

Tell him that, if the relationship is going to continue, ignoring this is not going to make the problem disappear.

Insist that from now on, he brings his child to your home instead and that he must not be with his ex alone. If he strays again, you need to move on.

My support pack called Cheating – Can You Get Over It? will give you additional advice.

DEAR DEIDRE: WORRYING about the whereabouts of my cat is keeping me up at night, as I often go outside to search for her.

I know it’s ridiculous and I’m not being rational but I am terrified she’ll get run over.

I’ve always lived with anxiety but it is now stopping me from sleeping, unless my cat is at home.

My mother died last year then I lost my job. I’m a woman of 42.

I know that this is the way life is, with its ups and downs, but I can’t stop worrying about everything.

After Mum passed away, my brother and I argued over the funeral arrangements. He’s not been to see me since.

I can’t shift this horrid feeling and can’t relax until my cat is home. She’s got a tracker on her collar but it doesn’t help.

I go into panic mode. I can’t bear the thought of losing her.

DEIDRE SAYS: It is natural to worry about our pets when they go out alone. My guess is that your anxiety comes from trauma that you lived with from an early age.

If your parents split up or there was family unhappiness, you may have taken it upon yourself to keep everyone together, even as a child. These feelings are hard to dispel.

As an adult, you still keep everything within your control so losing your mother and being made redundant will have been bitter pills to swallow.

Your focus is now on your cat and, as a pet owner, you are doing your absolute best to keep her safe.

But if you can keep her in during the evenings, it will relieve your anxiety in some way. She’ll get used to it.

You can find support through anxietyuk.org.uk (03444 775 774) and my support pack Coping With Bereavement explains where to find some therapy.

DEAR DEIDRE: SEX with my best mate’s girlfriend, on a football club night away, was off the scale. Now I think I’m falling in love with her.

We are all volunteer coaches for a youth team. My mate and I coach the under-13 and 14s, respectively, and his girlfriend coaches the younger kids.

We are all friends and spend a lot of time together. He’s 27 and I’m 29. His girlfriend is 26.

She knows that her boyfriend is a serial cheat but she was always hoping he would “get it out of his system” and everything would be fine.

The thing is, he’s a player — he always has been and his reputation is known throughout the club.

Recently, my team and his girlfriend’s team were in a league where we went away for a tournament.

Some of the parents joined us but in the evening they all disappeared, leaving us two coaches playing some games and watching a film with the kids. It was a good night.

After the kids were in bed, we had a drink and then she blurted out that her friend had seen my mate kissing yet another girl in a club.

She became very emotional and my natural protective instinct kicked in. I tried to comfort her but soon became overcome with some very sexual feelings.

Within minutes we’d gone through to her bedroom and were hurriedly undressing each other.

We had a wild and passionate night. It was a moment of weakness I had, but should I confess to my mate about what I’ve done so that his relationship ends?

It would probably end my friendship with him too. But his girlfriend is wonderful and doesn’t deserve to be with somebody like him.

DEIDRE SAYS: Confessing all would relieve you of the burden of guilt but bring misery to your cheating friend, and now his cheating girlfriend too.

Honesty is often the best policy but, if telling all brings upset, why do it?

It’s doubtful his girlfriend will say anything to him.

If it looks as if she’s still going to stick with him, that is her decision but it isn’t going to help you.

Instead, get out with other friends and find somebody who is free to have a relationship with you.

My support pack, Finding The Love Of Your Life, is full of good tips to help you to find that special person.

Деяким дачникам не вдається виростити гідний урожай петрушки, тому вони впевнені, що це примхлива культура. Насправді, це не зовсім так. Досвідчені городники знають, що при вирощуванні петрушки просто потрібно дотримуватися ряду простих правил, і тоді з урожаєм проблем не буде. Подробиці Слід зазначити, що петрушку краще садити у півтінь. Тоді рослина подарує насичену, соковиту та […]