‘I felt exposed to aggression’: The Apprentice’s Shazia Hussain claims she was ‘racially bullied’ after show’s diversity and inclusion task over her alternative of cartoon giraffe name
The Apprentice candidate Shazia Hussain has claimed she was racially bullied during her time on the show.
Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her troubles began after she named a giraffe Yogita for a pre-school cartoon during a task under a diversity and inclusion theme.
Nevertheless, she insists some people in her team struggled with the name of the animal, saying young children wouldn’t give you the option to pronounce it.
She told The Sun: ‘I felt exposed to aggression due to it. I believe it was racist’
While her team won the duty, she added: ‘After the episode, I feel I used to be verbally abused by among the candidates.
Claim: The Apprentice candidate Shazia Hussain, 40, has claimed she was racially bullied during her time on the show
‘They (the BBC) brought in a diversity specialist to talk over with everyone but I feel nothing modified. The teams were also rearranged but I feel the bullying continued.
‘I feel like I used to be bullied and harassed to the purpose that I asked to go away the home. I feel just like the BBC have failed me.’
She added that she complained in regards to the three candidates involved but has not heard anything more, adding that she thought she was fired after the fifth task ‘since it was easier to take me out of the situation’.
Shazia said that she believes the BBC didn’t follow through on their duty of look after her.
A spokesperson for The Apprentice told the publication: ‘The Apprentice has a zero-tolerance policy on any type of bullying or threatening behaviour.
‘As soon as Shazia raised a priority an investigation was conducted and she or he 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 when needed.
‘Consequently, when motion is required, we take it.
Speaking out: Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her troubles began after she named a giraffe Yogita for a pre-school cartoon during a task under a diversity and inclusion theme.
‘Throughout the method there may be all the time someone available to take care of any concerns including five members of the production team who live in the home with the candidates during filming.
‘If anyone wants to go away the home or the method, candidates are free to achieve this at any time.
‘Because the starting of the method, Shazia, together with all other candidates, has been, and continues to be, offered extensive and ongoing support, in all points of welfare (including managing social media), from BBC and the production company.
‘Duty of care to all our candidates is our highest priority and the support offered to candidates before, during and after is paramount.’
MailOnline has contacted The Apprentice for further comment.
Line-up: Last week The Apprentice unveiled its all-female Final Five for the second 12 months running ahead of the ultimate
In total there could have been 12 episodes on this series.
Only two candidates can proceed to the ultimate and secure the life-changing investment of their business.
The 2 finalists must launch a recent business and pitch it to Lord Sugar for the possibility to win his £250,000 investment and change into his next business partner.
The all-important interviews episode took place on Thursday, meaning the ultimate episode, where this 12 months’s winner will probably be announced, will happen on Thursday, March 23. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm.
Who will probably be made Lord Sugar’s next business partner? The 2 finalists must launch a recent business and pitch it to Lord Sugar for the possibility to win his £250,000 investment
