As the 17th series of The Apprentice drew closer to its conclusion tonight (Thursday March 16), the remaining candidates were put under the spotlight by Lord Sugar's most trusted advisers in the fan favourite 'Interviews Episode'.
Among those putting the candidates through their paces on Thursday were Claude Littner, the notoriously tricky questioner and Lord Sugar’s longest serving business colleague, co-founder of Shortlist Media, Mike Soutar, and one of the first women to head a fashion company flotation on the London Stock Market, the formidable Linda Plant. But it was show regular Karren Brady, sitting in the interviewer seat for the first time in more than 10 series, who caught the attention of viewers.
Vice Chair of West Ham United Baroness Brady was accused of bullying her interviewees by fans of the show on social media. Two of the remaining candidates, who were all female, were left in tears after the gruelling process.
Twitter user Phil Shelton said: "Can’t believe I have just watched @karren_brady openly bully 2 people on tv on @bbcapprentice to tears. Where is the safeguarding by the @bbc for there candidates.
"How is this entertainment? Surely complaints should be lodged? Why is she so special money does not make the person"
Adele T agreed, saying: "I don't think this will do Baroness Brady any favours. No one likes a bully. Vile. @bbcapprentice @karren_brady - Bullying is not ok."
Sarah Carson, culture editor at The i newspaper, commented: "I watch The Apprentice every week but it is deeply unpleasant to watch Karren Brady bully or sneer her way through it. Like ok we are all laughing at them and they’re astoundingly moronic but why is Brady on this show just to treat all the contestants with disgust. rank imo!!"
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One comment from Baroness Brady, who is a peer in the House of Lords, felt particuarly savage to many viewers. When sweet shop and cafe owner Megan Hornby was dismissed at the end of her interview she made the error of calling Baroness Brady by her first name.
"It's Baroness Brady to you," Lord Sugar's adviser said as Megan got up out of her chair. "My friends call me Karren," she continued.
Posting a clip of the cringe-inducing incident, Alfie Garston wrote: "Give this moment a BAFTA, an NTA, an RTS award, a TV Quick award, a TV Times award, Heat TV moment of the year and every other bloody TV award. #TheApprentice #ItsBaronessBradyToYou"
Gina pointed out: "They spend 12 weeks calling her ‘Karen’ then at the interviews ‘it’s Baroness Brady to you’. Vicious, nasty and unnecessary. Lost all respect @karren_brady @bbcapprentice"
One person going by the Twitter handle @thatgeekychap said: "@bbcapprentice I’ve enjoyed the Apprentice for years, but tonight’s really missed the mark. It was just cruel, and sniping. @karren_brady comes off extremely badly in particular, and actually rather nasty. Not showing how clever she is , or successful, just belittling."
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