"Candidates were shocked that Mark was able to carry on"
It has been reported that The Apprentice has been plunged into a race row after Shazia Hussain made a complaint over the alleged behaviour of co-star Mark Moseley.
Show bosses launched an investigation after Shazia complained that Mark racially abused her.
Shazia reported Mark to producers after being left “distressed” by the alleged incident.
Although it is not known what was said, the incident was apparently caught on camera, which the BBC chose not to broadcast.
A source told the Daily Mail: “Shazia was really upset by the way she was treated and at times didn’t feel safe living in the Apprentice house.
“She can’t believe in this day and age she would be subjected to racially motivated bullying.
“Candidates were shocked that Mark was able to carry on filming the show despite animosity building behind the scenes.
“The show casts candidates of different ethnicities and backgrounds and the expectation is for each person to respect each other, which wasn’t the case during filming of the current series.
“The incident took place on camera and the candidates in question were wearing microphones so it’s not a case of what he said, she said.”
The alleged incident prompted show bosses to invite a ‘diversity and inclusion expert’ into the house to remind the candidates of workplace conduct.
A spokesperson from The Apprentice said:
“The Apprentice has a zero tolerance on racist bullying.
“The duty of care and welfare of all candidates is of utmost importance and when action is required, we take it.
“All candidates sign up to a strict code of conduct and if there was evidence of racist bullying candidates would be immediately removed from the process.
“We take all complaints very seriously.”
Mark is still a candidate on the show but it is possible that he may not appear on the spinoff show You’re Fired or at the filming of the final episode.
He may also not be invited to the recording of You’re Hired, where the winning candidate is celebrated and the rest of the cast reflects on the highs and lows of the series.
A show source added: “Invitations to the final episode of The Apprentice are based on candidate availability and production’s discretion.
“The same applies to You’re Fired and You’re Hired, and arrangements are made close to the time of filming.”
This comes after Shazia previously claimed she was verbally attacked off-camera by her fellow candidates.
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