Yahoo Finance The Apprentice responds after Lottie Lion calls for major changes
The Apprentice has responded after Lottie Lion called on the BBC show to make a major change.
The candidate, who took part in the show's 2019 series, has stated that going on the show at the age of 19 and facing a public backlash has affected her mental health.
"When Lord Sugar fired me he said if I was five years older it could work," she told The Sun. "My message to Lord Sugar is the minimum age must be raised to at least 21. I was too young.
"To get on the show I'd suggest you have to have a business, not just want fame."
Related: Why it's a good thing The Apprentice was cancelled
She also commented on the show's aftercare, alleging that she wasn't contacted by producers after deleting her social media.
"Another Apprentice candidate contacted the BBC producers asking if I was OK. The producers contacted me way too late," she claims.
“I went back with a really shitty email, 'I’m not going to be part of your box-ticking bullshit, you know that I'm not OK'. They never responded. That just goes to show they don't care."
In a statement, a representative for the show stated that: "The wellbeing of candidates is of paramount importance. We have a robust duty of care protocol in place which includes an experienced network of support before, during and after filming."
During the show's airing, Lottie denied accusations of racism after reportedly making a racist comment towards a fellow contestant, and was missing from the live final reunion with Lord Sugar on the You're Hired episode.
Meanwhile, Lord Sugar has said that the show may not return until late this year, but has also stated that there could be two series this year.
The Apprentice will return to BBC One.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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