THE BBC has called on The Apprentice makers to carry out stricter background checks on contestants after The Sun on Sunday revealed a new candidate made racist and sexist social media posts.
Entrepreneur Levi Hodgetts-Hague, who apologised and said they did not reflect his current values, posted about a “dirty Muslim” and attacked their religion.
The 33-year-old former RAF man also called women “slags” and said those from his native Doncaster were “dogs”.
The production company, Naked, said social media checks had “failed to flag the offensive posts” and that the process would be reviewed.
A BBC spokesperson said the views presented in the posts were “totally unacceptable” and the organisation was taking this “extremely seriously”.
“We were completely unaware that this contestant had made such abhorrent comments,” they said.
“We have asked the independent production company to fully review the social media checks undertaken given the process has clearly failed in this instance.”
The show presented by Lord Sugar is set to launch its 20th series on 29 January in which 20 candidates will compete for the chance to win £250,000 and go into business with the tycoon.
Filming concluded in 2025, meaning Hodgetts-Hague will still appear in the programme.
In a statement issued to The Sun on Sunday, Hodgetts-Hague said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” by the posts he made more than a decade ago.”
Production company Naked said it worked with “reputable third-party providers” to carry out comprehensive background and social media checks on all candidates.
