Apprentice fans were furious on Thursday because they claimed that the bosses had already revealed who would be crowned the series winner before the finale.
Marnie Swindells went head-to-head with Rochelle Anthony over the £250,000 investment in the final and was ultimately Lord Sugar’s new hire.
But some viewers weren’t surprised by the winner, revealing that a finale teaser video shared last week had “ruined” the winner for them.
They claimed that in the footage, where Lord Sugar said: ‘You’re going to be my new business partner’, it was easy to tell who won because he pointed to the left.
Angry Apprentice watchers took to Twitter to criticize the BBC for sharing the clip.
Gift the game? Apprentice fans left frustrated after Lord Sugar ‘gifted’ the winner ahead of the final with a ‘spoiler clip’ (pictured: Apprentice 2023 winner Marnie Swindells)
oops! They claimed that in the footage, where Lord Sugar said: ‘You’re going to be my new business partner’, it was easy to tell who won because he pointed to the left.
One person wrote: ‘Does Marnie win it? She is sitting to the left of @Lord_Sugar and he is pointing to the winner with his left hand.
Another said: ‘Why show the finger at the end? It’s clearly the one sitting on the left.
It was the second year in a row that eagle-eyed spectators ‘saw’ the winner.
However, some fans also claimed that they had predicted the winner because Marnie posted about her boxing gym launch three weeks ago.
One person said: ‘Can’t I be the only one who knew I won last week?
He posted on his Instagram that his new gym was open, mentioning several times in the process that he needs investment from @Lord_Sugar to open it. So yes, she handed in the result last week.
Another said: “Marnie’s post about launching her new boxing gym a couple of weeks ago was a huge spoiler but what a fighter.”
However, Marnie refuted his claims, saying that he had opened Lord Sugar’s “totally separate” gym.
Not impressed: Angry Apprentice viewers took to Twitter to criticize the BBC for sharing the clip of Lord Sugar pointing to the winner.
Raging: However, some fans also claimed that they had predicted the winner because Marnie posted about launching her boxing gym three weeks ago.
It comes after in the series 17 finale, the previously fired candidates return once more and help the girls create a brand for companies, including a digital billboard.
At the end of the assignments, Marnie and Rochelle took the stage to present their ideas to a room full of industry experts, as well as Alan, Tim Campbell and Karren Brady, with the duo promoting their brands and answering tough questions.
After seeking help from the experts, Lord Sugar, the finalists and the other former candidates returned to the boardroom where they discussed their business ideas and branding efforts.
After a final conversation with the girls and their trusted advisors, Lord Sugar made his decision, opting to invest £250,000 to help Marnie create the boxing gym of her dreams, with a focus on feelings rather than fitness. .
Speaking after her win, Marnie said in the taxi: ‘It feels so strange to be called Lord Sugar’s business partner! But I won’t stop saying it because I’m so happy!
It comes as Marnie has hit back at critics who have compared the show to Love Island, saying it’s possible to be both glamorous and a serious businesswoman.
The boxing champion beat out salon owner Rochelle to win the BBC1 contest and a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar to franchise her gym.
However, despite the fact that the finale was an all-female affair, the show has been accused of dumbing down and selecting contestants who appear to belong on Love Island.
Delighted: Court lawyer won Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment after his boxing idea battled stiff competition from Rochelle Anthony’s diverse hairdresser
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Ms Swindells said: “Women can have it all, and to say we have to choose between being glamorous and being a good businesswoman is an insult.” We can do both and we can do everything.
‘It’s okay for women to be online and be expressive and show off their fashion, their makeup and their hair. Time has advanced and we are in a more digital age.
“The saying ‘find yourself a woman who can do both’ shouldn’t even exist. It goes without saying that we are all of those things. “Women can take many hats and be many different people and it really is an unfair narrative.”
Ms Swindells, a judicial advocate from Manchester, impressed Lord Sugar during the winner-take-all task after introducing her boxing gym to hundreds of industry insiders.