Former contestants of *The Apprentice* have publicly asserted that the BBC series undergoes significant editing to align with a pre-determined narrative.
Speaking recently to GB News and other media outlets, Marnie Swindells (series 17 winner), Reece Donnelly (series 17 contestant), Solomon Akhtar, and Raj Chohan (series 18) revealed details about the production process behind Lord Alan Sugar’s popular show.
Donnelly, a theatre school owner, highlighted the disparity between the extensive filming schedule and the final broadcast product. “It’s 100 hours of footage condensed into a one-hour episode,” he stated, emphasizing how much viewers miss. Chohan corroborated this sentiment, recalling a conversation with the production team:
> “They were upfront with us: their responsibility is to create a compelling show; ours is to compete for the prize money. And they’re going to shape the program to fit their narrative.”
He further explained that many valuable moments are left on the cutting room floor, illustrating this point with his own experience. “For example, I had a week where my team actually performed exceptionally well, but the editing was manipulated to justify my eventual dismissal.”
Swindells echoed Donnelly’s concerns about the selective portrayal of events, stating: “Because so much is omitted, you remember your own experience vividly and often find yourself questioning what’s shown.” She added that contestants are instructed from the outset on how they can influence their representation.
> “You’re constantly reminded, ‘if you don’t say it, we can’t include it.’”
Donnelly continued to reflect on this dynamic: “It’s a surprising realization when you see your words and actions reinterpreted later on.”
Swindells also addressed the frequent criticism of contestants perceived as lacking intelligence. “Let me be clear: not everyone who appears on *The Apprentice* is unintelligent!” she declared. She attributed many challenges to external factors beyond their control, especially during team product creation tasks.
- Limited resources
- Time constraints
- Legal restrictions on brand names
“The products you see pitched aren’t always our finest work,” she emphasized.
Donnelly further elaborated on the artificiality of the show’s presentation. “We are essentially dictated what to wear.” Swindells clarified:
> “For women, if a dress is chosen, there are three options available. Men receive one suit, and similarly, female contestants choosing suits also have only one choice.”
Swindells humorously acknowledged the audience’s reaction to her repeated appearance in the same suit. “Viewers noticed I was wearing the same outfit, and it became a topic of discussion on Twitter!”
