Navid Sole
(Picture: BBC/Boundless/Ray Burmiston)A fired Apprentice candidate has alleged that he was bullied during filming by another candidate which left him in tears.
Pharmacist Navid Sole told pals another candidate called him a “snake” and a “clown” after the failure of a task, the Sunday Mirror reported.
Mr Sole told friends: “I didn’t want to share these feelings with the producers because I was scared they would eliminate me from the process.
“The bullying affected my performance on the whole show.”
However, a spokesperson for the hit BBC One show insisted that the wellbeing of contestants was of “paramount importance” and that the allegations were unsubstantiated.
Mr Sole became the third candidate in this year’s series fired by Lord Sugar during Thursday's episode, after a task in which the candidates were asked to make non-alcoholic drinks.
A spokeswoman for the show said: "The wellbeing of the candidates who take part in The Apprentice is of paramount importance.
"Thorough and robust duty of care protocols are in place which include an experienced network of support for candidates who are in regular contact before, during and after filming.
"All contributors agreed to a code of conduct which was put in place from the outset in order to protect and prioritise their welfare.
"These allegations are unsubstantiated and do not reflect the measures put in place to look after the candidates."
The Standard has contacted the BBC for comment.
Earlier this week, fellow competitor Shama Amin quit the show for health reasons.
The 41-year-old children's day nursery owner has rheumatoid arthritis and told Lord Sugar the contest had become too "physically demanding" for her.
The remaining entrepreneurs are competing to win £250,000 worth of investment in their business and become Lord Sugar's next business partner.
