The BBC has acknowledged that its vetting process failed after offensive tweets posted a decade ago by Apprentice contestant Levi Hodgetts-Hague came to light. The posts, which emerged after filming, included derogatory remarks about Muslims, women, police officers, and support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
A BBC spokesperson said the corporation was 'completely unaware' of the comments, which they described as 'totally unacceptable'. The independent production company Naked, which makes the show, has been asked to conduct a full review of its social media checks. 'The process has clearly failed in this instance,' the spokesperson added.
This is not the first time The Apprentice has faced controversy over its contestants. In January, Dr Asif Munaf, a contestant from the 2024 series, was struck off the medical register for posting antisemitic, racist and sexist content. Previous seasons have also featured individuals with criminal records or controversial views, including Tom Bunday, jailed for violent assault, and Katie Hopkins.
Industry experts have pointed to pressures on production companies to cast 'interesting' characters who generate drama. Julian Henry, a celebrity PR, said Naked bore 'ultimate responsibility' for vetting failures, while Professor Jamie Medhurst of Aberystwyth University suggested the BBC may need to review how it works with independent producers. Alex Segal of InterTalent agency noted that reality shows often cast for specific roles, and that social media checks, whether done by humans or AI, are not 'bulletproof'.
