The Apprentice candidate Lottie Lion banned from interviews after being fired - The Independent, Independent

The latestApprenticecandidates to be fired byLord Sugarhave been revealed – and we weren’t permitted to speak to one of them.

For the latest episode, the final five candidates took part in the dreaded interviews with four of the business tycoon’s most trusted advisers, including right-hand man Claude Littner.

Things did not end too well for – year-old librarianLottie Lion, though, who was sent home alongside Lewis EllisandPamela Lairdafter their business plans were put under scrutiny.

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Following her firing, we expected to speak with Lion about her controversial time on the show – especially considering we’ve spoken to every fired candidate so far.

However, the show’s production said that “Lottie will not be invited to participate in any further activity relating toThe Apprentice.”

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This also rules her out of appearances on spin-off showsYou’re FiredandYou ‘ re Hired.

It is currently unknown whether she’ll be one of the fired candidates who annually return to assist either Scarlett Allen-Horton or Carina Leopore in the finals task.

While unconfirmed, it is strongly suspected that the BBC cut ties with Lion after an interview withThe Sunlast week, which saw her criticize the channel’s bosses for the way she has been treated in the wake of a race storm.

Earlier this series, it was reported that Lion referred to fellow contestant

Lubna Farhanas “Gandhi” in a WhatsApp group chat ahead of the premiere of this year series.

Lionadmitted to sending the messagebut continues to claim that everyone in the group chat – including Farhan

, whose parents hail from Pakistan – laughed off her comment at the time.

Following the race row, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “While this happened on a private messenger service once filming had connected, the BBC nevertheless still expects the candidates to behave appropriately.

“The production company have looked into the issue and reported back, Lion has been informed that her comments were wholly unacceptable and is in no doubt about our view on this.”