Former Apprentice star Raj Dhonota has made a bold claim that Lord Alan Sugar ‘doesn’t call the shots’ on the hit BBC show.
Raj, 49, appeared on the first-ever series back in 2005 alongside winner Tim Campbell and former Loose Women star Saira Khan.
He has now said that Lord Alan is ‘barely there’ while filming the series and that he wishes he had chose a different path to finding fame after he was fired by the businessman in the ninth week.
Although The Apprentice has been running in the UK for 19 years, Raj admitted he has never seen a single episode expect for the first four episodes of his own series.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: ‘I had seen enough in the first four episodes of the first series to understand that the reality of what actually happened and what was portrayed in the edits could not have been further apart. Suffice to say, had I seen the first episode there is no way I would have applied to be in a subsequent series.’
Former Apprentice star Raj Dhonota has made a bold claim that Lord Alan Sugar ‘doesn’t call the shots’ on the hit BBC show
He has now said that Lord Alan is ‘barely there’ while filming the series and that he wishes he had chose a different path to finding fame after he was fired by the businessman in the ninth week
Raj revealed he never really saw Lord Sugar and described him as a ‘straight-talking’ guy accept for when he fired him as he only did what was best for the TV show.
He continued: ‘We did win a task and had dinner with him as a reward at his favourite restaurant in London. I found him to be straight-talking and fair – apart from the time he changed the rules just to fire me! Ultimately his role is to do what is right for the TV programme from an entertainment perspective rather than picking out the best business mind.’
Raj went on to claim the Lord Sugar doesn’t call the shots on the show as the producers behind the scenes decide what happens.
Now Lord Sugar is joined on the series by Baroness Karen Brady and Tim, who won the first series, to help make the decisions.
However Raj claimed that Karen and Tim are also not as involved as it seems on the TV, he added: ‘The truth behind the matter is that it’s the show producers who call the majority of the shots and provide the majority of the feedback to Lord Sugar. From experience, the advisors are not there all the time or even the majority of the time.’
It comes as the 2024 Apprentice finalists were revealed on Thursday night after battling it out during the 18th series.
Entrepreneurs Phil Turner, Rachel Woolford, Tre Lowe, Flo Edwards and Paul Midha soared through the penultimate episode following a savage double dumping.
The five will battle it out in a series of tough interviews, conducted by Lord Alan Sugar’s advisors.
Raj, 49, appeared on the first-ever series back in 2005 alongside winner Tim Campbell (left) and former Loose Women star Saira Khan (pictured Lord Alan right 2005)
It comes as the 2024 Apprentice finalists were reveled on Thursday night after battling it out during the 18th series (pictured Phil Turner, Dr Paul, Tre Lowe, Rachel Woolford)
In Thursday’s episode, both teams were tasked with creating a vegan cheese that would entice consumers, in order to secure sales from major supermarkets.
As project manager Phil finally bagged his first win for his team and their truffle cheese alternative, Rachel was in the firing line when her curry product fell flat.
In the end Foluso Falade and Steve Darken were fired by Lord Sugar.
Phil’s team created the product Scrumptious Spread – which didn’t impress supermarket Tesco in the presentation phase. However the smaller retailers did place a whopping 18,000 orders.
However Big Softie – the vegan cheese created by the other team – had disastrous results.
Lord Sugar said as he fired the pair that their branding and video were ‘terrible’ so had to send them home.
Foluso and Steve were sent packing after poor branding and unpleasant taste meant their team secured a total of zero orders.
The Apprentice airs Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
THE APPRENTICE 2024: MEET THE CANDIDATES
Amina Khan
Occupation: Pharmacist and Business Owner
Location: Ilford
Amina has been a qualified pharmacist for over a decade, in which time she has created a successful skincare and supplements business.
Flo Edwards
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Location: London
Flo revealed that she started her own consultancy, making her ready to tackle Lord Sugar.
Foluso Falade
Occupation: Project Manager
Location: Manchester
Foluso brands herself the ‘Mary Poppins of business’ and revealed that her aim is to run the first Social Enterprise to win Lord Sugar’s investment.
Maura Rath
Occupation: Owner, Yoga Company
Location: Wexford
Maura is taking the edge as a yoga teacher into her appearance.
Noor Bouziane
Occupation: Owner, Jewellery Company
Location: Liverpool
Ambitious owner of a premium jewellery company Noor professed that she will generate a wealth of cash for Lord Sugar thanks to the unique nature of her business.
Onyeka Nweze
Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary
Location: London
Onyeka revealed her plan is to be the first tech business investment made by Lord Sugar in eighteen series.
Rachel Woolford
Occupation: Boutique Fitness Studio Owner
Location: Leeds
Business-minded from a very young age, Rachel has plenty of experience managing her work independently. As well as her hard work in the office, she also shares her fitness triumphs on social media including running the New York Marathon in 2019.
Raj Chohan
Occupation: Mortgage Broker
Location: Leamington Spa
Raj admits that while she is a grafter, she is determined to have fun while working – as illustrated on her fun-filled Instagram account. A self-confessed ‘dog with a bone’ when meeting her targets, she wants to hit a gap in the market and will do whatever it takes for success.
Sam Saadet
Occupation: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Coach
Location: Essex
Sam revealed her friends call her a real Del Boy for being ‘part-wheeler dealer’ as well as her eye for a bargain. An online fitness coach with a focus on mums and mums-to-be, she’s hoping to prove her business brain to Lord Sugar.
Dr. Asif Munaf
Occupation: Owner, Wellness Brand
Location: Sheffield
Asif boldly describes himself as ‘Beauty, brains, body and business’ on his CV. The qualified doctor’s business plan focuses on vitamins and supplements.
Jack Davies
Occupation: Recruitment Director
Location: Bristol
As well as his work as a recruitment director, Jack also acts as a food reviewer, meaning he is ready with diverse knowledge and skills for challenges.
Oliver Medforth
Occupation: Sales Executive
Location: Yorkshire
Oliver’s background in selling at markets has him looking forward to the famous sales tasks. He is often seen plugging his wares on social media – particularly his gin range.
Paul Bowen
Occupation: Director, Pie Company
Location: Lancashire
One of two pie company experts entering the process, Paul prides his business on big name clients such as Manchester City Football Club.
Dr. Paul Midha
Occupation: Owner, Dental Group
Location: Leeds
Paul started his practice using every resource he had. Used to extensive learning from studying as a dentist, Paul is set on Lord Sugar’s investment and all that he can teach him about the world of business.
Phil Turner
Occupation: Owner, Pie Company
Location: Bognor Regis
Phil was awarded ‘Supreme Pie Champion’ in 2020 for his family-owned pie business, which dates back to the 1930s. He’s hoping to prove himself to Lord Sugar and start making him some real dough.
Steve Darken
Occupation: Management Consultant
Location: London
Steve claims that he shares Lord Sugar’s sharp mind and sense of humour. Consulting for ‘some of the biggest companies in the world’, he’s ready to take on the boardroom.
Tre Lowe
Occupation: Music & Wellness Entrepreneur
Location: London
Tre has had his previous tastes of fame, including in the UK garage band named Architechs. His Instagram account is a who’s who of the showbiz world, including snaps with Simon Cowell and Emily Ratajkowski.
Virdi Singh Mazaria
Occupation: Music Producer
Location: Leicester
DJ Virdi wants to introduce Lord Sugar to world he’s yet to invest in – music. His life is certainly filled with luxury as he shares frequent snaps on flash holidays and in front of pricey motors.
