The Apprentice’s Shazia Hussain claims she was ‘racially bullied’
‘I felt exposed to aggression’: The Apprentice’s Shazia Hussain claims she was ‘racially harassed’ after the show’s diversity and inclusion task on her choice of cartoon giraffe name
Trainee candidate Shazia Hussain claims she was racially harassed during her time on the show.
Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her problems started after she named a giraffe Yogita for a preschool cartoon during an assignment on a diversity and inclusion topic.
However, he insists that some people on his team had trouble with the animal’s name, saying that young children would not be able to pronounce it.
She said Sun: ‘I felt exposed to aggression because of that. I think it was racist’
While her team won the task, she added, “After the episode, I feel like I was verbally abused by some of the candidates.”
Claim: Trainee candidate Shazia Hussain, 40, claims she was racially harassed during her time on the show
“They (the BBC) brought in a diversity specialist to talk to everyone, but I feel like nothing has changed. The teams were also reorganized, but I feel like the bullying continued.
“I feel like I was bullied and harassed to the point where I asked to leave the house. I feel the BBC has failed me.’
She added that she complained about the three candidates involved but hasn’t heard anything else, adding that she thought she was fired after the fifth assignment “because it was easier to get me out of the situation.”
Shazia said she believes the BBC failed in its duty to care for her.
A spokesperson for The Apprentice told the publication: ‘The Apprentice has a zero tolerance policy for any form of harassing or threatening behaviour.
“As soon as Shazia raised a concern, an investigation was conducted and she received in-person support from senior members of the production team.
‘The Apprentice has a strict code of conduct and we take all complaints very seriously and investigate where necessary.
‘As a result, when action is required, we take it.
Speak up: Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her problems started after she named a giraffe Yogita for a preschool cartoon during an assignment on a topic of diversity and inclusion.
“Throughout the process, someone is always available to solve any problem, including five members of the production team who live in the house with the candidates during the shoot.
‘If someone wants to leave the house or the process, the candidates are free to do so at any time.
“Since the start of the process, Shazia, along with all the other candidates, has received, and continues to receive, extensive and ongoing support, across all aspects of welfare (including managing social media), from the BBC and the producer.
“The duty to care for all our candidates is our highest priority and the support offered to the candidates before, during and after is paramount.”
MailOnline has contacted The Apprentice for further comment.
Lineup: Last week, The Apprentice hosted their all-female Final Five for the second year in a row leading up to the final.
In total there will have been 12 episodes in this series.
Only two candidates can advance to the final and secure the life-changing investment in their business.
The two finalists must launch a new business and pitch it to Lord Sugar for a chance to win his £250,000 investment and become his next business partner.
The biggest interview episode took place on Thursday, which means the final episode, where this year’s winner will be announced, will take place on Thursday 23 March on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9:00pm.
Who will be Lord Sugar’s next business partner? The two finalists must launch a new business and pitch it to Lord Sugar for a chance to win his £250,000 investment.