17 March 2023 , 09:19
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The Apprentice 's Lord Alan Sugar picked his two finalists after the remaining five candidates defended their business plans in a series of interviews - but BBC viewers were not impressed with the brutal grillings.
Dani Donovan, Megan Hornby, Victoria Goulbourne, Rochelle Anthony and Marnie Swindells were questioned by Lord Sugar's team of trusted advisors.
Former aide to Lord Sugar Claude Littner returned to The Apprentice for the interview stage along with Karren Brady, Mike Soutar and Linda Plant.
The candidates' business plans were ripped apart by the experts and Megan, in particular, received a tough time with The Apprentice aide Karren.
Claude Littner returned to The Apprentice on Thursday (BBC)She told the budding entrepreneur that her online sweet business was as "crazy as it comes" and had "no depth or substance".
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When Megan thanked Karren for the interview, the businesswoman snapped back: "It's Baroness Brady to you, my friends call me Karren."
The Apprentice viewers hit out at Karren and the rest of the interviews as they blasted them for "bullying" the candidates.
One tweeted: "#TheApprentice the interviewers appear to be bullying the finalists. They are not interviewing. This is the last time I watch the apprentice."
"Actually finding this episode uncomfortable. Bullying these woman for not being confident enough? Imaginary numbers not good enough and some small spelling mistakes? This isn't dragons den. This is a show that's open to anyone with a business idea not CEOs ffs," another said.
Lord Sugar's advisor Linda Plant grilled the candidates (BBC)Someone else commented: "These interviews are actually just nasty. All for the cutting remarks and quips but some of this is just bullying," while a fourth added: "This is on the verge of bullying …"
"This is getting unpleasant - borderline bullying," another wrote and a sixth said: "Why are people so rude on #TheApprentice? Take the business plan apart not the person. It’s become bullying not constructive criticism."
Meanwhile, after the tough interview process, Lord Sugar called on his advisors for help on who he should choose as his final two.
Lord Sugar initially fired Victoria and Dani before discussing the final three remaining candidates with Karren and Tom Campbell.
He then decided Megan would be the one to miss out on the final part of the process, leaving Rochelle and Marnie as this year's finalists.
The Apprentice concludes on BBC One on Thursday at 9pm.
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