Yahoo Movies The Apprentice contestant accuses producers of ignoring "bullying"
A recently-fired contestant from The Apprentice has accused producers of ignoring "bullying" from others on the show.
Navid Sole left the show in last week's episode (Thursday, January 20) and has since claimed that show bosses did not offer him any help after a rival contestant "made his life hell", The Mirror has reported.
He's alleged that one of his fellow contestants called him a "snake" and a "clown" after a failed task, and told friends that he broke down in tears after the incident, which was not aired.
Sole accused producers of failing to step in during the confrontation, and alleged they didn't check in with him afterwards to see how he felt or ask whether he was okay.
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According to The Mirror's report, Sole told a friend that there were "two or three occasions" where he wanted to hurt himself because he was unsure of what to do.
He also asked to switch rooms in The Apprentice contestants' houseshare while competing on the show, adding he was moved because they could see his distress.
Sole also told his friend he was "scared" that the producers would "eliminate" him if he came forward with these accusations, adding that his performance on the show and his wellbeing were affected by what happened.
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Sole's friend claimed that other contestants noticed the bullying during filming of episode 1 and also alleged that "nobody" thought to give him a break when he was distressed.
Fellow contestant Harry Mahmood did report the person in question for "rude and aggressive" behaviour.
Harry explained: "My bone of contention was the way they spoke to me – with aggression, anger. They kept attacking me and singling me out. Nav started crying based on the way [the contestant] was talking to him.
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Mahmood also alleges that none of the producers intervened directly or immediately when Sole started crying, "until someone said, 'That's enough now guys, moving on'."
"In real life if someone talks to me like that I don't let it be," Mahmood added. "I got bullied at school and want to stand up for those it happens to."
In response, a spokesperson for the programme told Digital Spy: "The wellbeing of the candidates who take part in The Apprentice is of paramount importance. Thorough and robust duty of care protocols are in place which include an experienced network of support for candidates who are in regular contact before, during and after filming.
"All contributors agreed to a code of conduct which was put in place from the outset in order to protect and prioritise their welfare. These allegations are unsubstantiated and do not reflect the measures put in place to look after the candidates."
They added to The Mirror that Sole never informed them about his intrusive thoughts, nor did he make an official complaint.
The candidate Sole is accusing, who has not been named, told The Mirror that his allegations "have no foundation" and are "unfair", insisting that their behaviour was "compliant with guidelines put in place".
The Apprentice airs on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One, with spin-off series You're Fired airing immediately afterwards on BBC Two.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, 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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