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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC The Apprentice viewers 'sobbing' as public 'verbally abused' by candidates in baffling scenes

Viewers of The Apprentice said they were left 'sobbing' as they watched members of the public be 'verbally abused' by some of the candidates in baffling scenes. But it wasn't as it seems.

During Thursday night's episode (February 23) of the hit BBC One show, which is now in week eight, the remaining nine candidates hoping to bag themselves Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment were tasked with creating and selling immersive experiences for paying customers, enticing them with convincing acting, gourmet meals and jaw-dropping entertainers.

Lord Sugar told Team Apex that they would be putting on an immersive experience at Shrewsbury Prison, while Team Affinity were given the Victorian town of Bliss Hill, with both needing to sell tickets, book entertainment and organise food and drink. Leading Team Affinity was Avi Sharma who decided on selling £99 tickets for a Victorian school experience featuring a contortionist.

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Meanwhile, Mark Moseley put himself forward as project manager for Team Apex, who settled on a jail immersive experience ending with a magician's performance. Both teams struggled to flog tickets at their intended prices but later, Team Apex left viewers stunned when the candidates were seen screaming at their paying guests.

Simba and Megan were the ones leading their guests around an immersive prison experience which saw them acting as loud-mouthed prison guards. And as part of the immersive experience, they took it upon themselves to shout at their guests to get in line and hurry them from room to room as well as launching a few personal attacks.

In one moment, Simba left BBC viewers stunned as he said to one guest: "Those shoes, the basic cheap stuff is it?" To which they replied "Yes sir," and Simba shot back: "Get out, I'm sick of the sight of you." In the end, one lady was left clutching her chest as she commented: "I did not think I was going to get shouted at all day!"

Simba and Megan got into character (BBC)

And it's fair to say viewers of The Apprentice couldn't believe what they were watching. @daismxsn tweeted: "SOBBING AT THIS EPISODE THE PRISON PEOPLE ARE TRAUMATISEDDDD #TheApprentice." @lewisd_f said: "Omg the prison tour guests are traumatised #TheApprentice."

@DOPreston shared: "Imagine standing in an orange boiler suit in a prison being shouted at and being called an idiot when you simply bought a ticket to watch a magician #TheApprentice." @jenlouisey_ posted: "I’m sorry people would actually pay for an immersive experience in a prison?! #theapprentice." @DavidMackayy echoed: "This prison experience is so f***ing bizarre - who would want to be terrified by prison officers #theapprentice."

But others were full of praise for Simba and Megan's performances. @kayleigho2820 tweeted: "Simba and Megan staying in character even when the customers were confused and asking them questions had me dead #TheApprentice." @selinaglx shared: "Megan & Simba hard CARRIEDDD their team what a brilliant performance from them both, I see Megan winner by a mile I see her in the final 2 for sure. #theapprentice."

@CherryxGarcia said: "Can we just appreciate how Megan and Simba did not break character even once. Give these people an Oscar! #TheApprentice." @AntMelia94 added: "Sorry, Simba and Megan are serving Academy Award winners, they’re not breaking character to show those women one ounce of sympathy #TheApprentice."

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