Karren Brady has been left shocked after discovering that The Apprentice has a sex ban that she knew absolutely nothing about.
This comes in the wake of controversy that broke over Christmas, in which it has been reported that two members of the upcoming season were found ‘half-naked’ by production.
This contravenes a rule on production of the show that prevents contestants from touching.
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The pair were reportedly found together while travelling with the cast in Turkey.
Brady, who is one of Lord Alan Sugar's aides on the show alongside Tim Campbell, has responded to the controversy and stated that she was unaware the show had a ‘sex ban’.
She spoke to The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine, saying: "I never knew there was a sex ban. But when it says on the show it's 4am it actually is. We're going until 10pm and there's not a day off it's back-to-back.
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"So how you have time for any shenanigans is beyond me."
The business-woman claimed, however, she was in no position to judge because she met her husband while working.
The main face of the show Alan Sugar has also commented, saying to the Daily Mail: "It's human nature. It's attraction of the opposite sex, what can I do?
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"We do keep our eyes on them, and they're told not to do it but what can I do?
"The producers tell them not to do it which is effectively me saying it because they are reading out my rules."
LADbible has contacted the BBC for comment.
The pair will return to screens tonight as The Apprentice airs its first episode of series 19 on BBC One at 9pm.
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Sugar also discussed firings in the season, and seemed to hint that any behind-the-scenes shenanigans may be taken into account when he fires contestants.
He said of the new season: "There are some multiple firings. A lot of people say I do multiple firings because there are only 12 tasks, and we have to end up with a certain amount of people at the end, so people say I do it just to get the numbers down.
"But let me tell you honestly, that's not true. When more than one person goes it's for a very, very good reason."
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The show’s 19th season returns with 18 new candidates all vying to be crowned winners and for a £250,000 investment from Alan Sugar into their business.
Amongst this year’s contestants is a TikTok influencer who owns a convenience store, a hair transplant consultant, and a motivational speaker.
The Apprentice season 19 debuts at 9pm on BBC One.
Topics: Business, TV and Film, TV, BBC
Michael Slavin