Lord Sugar has banned ‘nepo babies’ from starring on The Apprentice – and insists all candidates are chosen on merit.
The tycoon, 76, says it’s standard BBC policy to give ‘everybody the opportunity to enter’ and the show won’t be giving wannabe entrepreneurs, who happen to be the offspring of celebrities, any special treatment.
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing and Love Island featured chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly and footballer Michael Owen’s eldest daughter Gemma respectfully in recent series, which has aided the show’s publicity push.
Asked by MailOnline if he’s tempted to follow suit, Lord Sugar said: ‘No… we don’t do that. These candidates have been chosen from a very intense selection process and we hold auditions in London, Leeds, and Birmingham… It is the most important thing and the BBC dictates it.
‘It is a BBC requirement that we have to go out and give everybody the opportunity so we travel the country for the auditions.’
Lord Sugar has banned ‘nepo babies’ from starring on The Apprentice and insists all candidates are chosen on merit
The tycoon says it’s standard BBC policy to give ‘everybody the opportunity to enter’ and the show won’t be giving wannabe entrepreneurs any special treatment
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Lord Sugar said the candidates are chosen from an intense selection progress
However, the billionaire businessman doesn’t mind employing his own children, because they have earned their stripes thanks to his tough love.
Lord Sugar’s eldest son Simon started earning money flipping burgers at McDonald’s and established a successful career before joining the family firm.
Now, he’s the CEO of his father’s company Amscreen and Daniel is Amsprop director, according to the company’s website.
Lord Sugar said: ‘Sometimes children of famous people want to try and follow in the footsteps of their mother or father and good luck to them.
‘Their parents do have an advantage of knowing people that they can put them forward to but that’s just how it happens.’
The candidates may not enter the show as celebrities but they are treated to the high life.
They reside in a £17million mansion situated on one of the country’s most expensive roads as they take part in the 12-week process.
Last year’s cast jet to Dubai after being tasked with hosting a corporate away day but not all of the contestants ended up taking part in the challenge.
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing featured chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly on the BBC series in 2021 (pictured in January 2022)
Footballer Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma found fame on ITV2 series Love Island in 2022
However, the billionaire businessman doesn’t mind employing his own children, because they have earned their stripes thanks to his tough love (pictured with son Daniel far left and daughter Louise second from right in 2004)
Lord Sugar has broken his silence on former candidate Reece Donnelly’s axing after he was forced to leave the show for getting drunk on a flight to Dubai during filming
Glaswegian theatre school owner Reece Donnelly was axed from the programme after he got drunk on the flight, which was against the show’s rules.
And now, Lord Sugar has broken his silence on Reece’s sudden departure, confirming: ‘There are rules for the candidates when they’re living together… but they’re not very draconian.
‘They can have a couple glasses of wine at the house but we won’t tolerate anybody getting drunk.’
The Apprentice returns on Thursday night as 18 candidates compete for the chance to become Lord Sugar’s business partner and his £250,000 investment.
He has recruited a range of talent including two doctors, a pharmacist, two pie shop owners, a music producer and Tre Lowe, who’s known for being in the UK garage band Architechs.
But the mogul says he has no interest in rivalling X Factor boss Simon Cowell by venturing into the music business with one of his new candidates.
Lord Sugar said: ‘No, I’m not looking to rival Simon Cowell… No… music does make a programme and our theme tune in particular has been used from the very beginning.
‘Sometimes we do use some operatic music to appropriately bounce up what has been seen on the screen.’
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