The Apprentice returned to BBC One for a new series on Thursday, with Lord Alan Sugar searching for another business partner from 18 hopefuls.
Fans tuned in were surprised as the 77-year-old business magnate introduced a huge change, breaking away from the previous 18 series of the popular competition show.
Normally, the first boardroom conversation sees the candidates introducing themselves before being split into men and women and sent off to their first task.
However, Sugar decided to leave the tradition behind, quickly stating: “Now I’m going to mix things up from the get-go. Forget boys versus girls… the two back rows swap with each other.”
This meant each team had a mix of both men and women, which doesn’t usually happen until several weeks into the process.
Viewers were quick to respond to the change on social media, with a mixed reaction being presented. However, some considered the mix-up was down to “woke nonsense”.
One person on X wrote: “Switching up the teams already? I’m shook #TheApprentice.”
“It’s not got the edge of Men v Women for the first few shows #theapprentice,” another complained.
Someone else shared:” They’ve mixed the teams this is unprecedented territory #TheApprentice.”
“No male and female teams? WOKE NONSENSE #theapprentice,” a fourth fumed.
Some were in favour of the switch up though, with one writing: “Finally mixed the teams from the start, about time #TheApprentice.”
“I’m very pleased to see it’s not your usual divisive girls(women) vs boys(men) I hated that concept and the wording. #TheApprentice,” one more posted. (sic)
For their first task, the candidates were taken to Austria to set up their own Alpine tours.
They were briefed with creating unforgettable experiences for guests, and after a bumpy start with ticket sales, both teams managed to pull something off in the end.
Unfortunately for online gift store owner Emma Rothwell, her time on the show ended after the first task when Sugar decided most of her team’s failure lay with her.
“Emma, you haven’t sold any tickets,” Sugar noted, adding: “And you haven’t explained to me what, in fact, you did do.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
BBC The Apprentice star calls for major change to Alan Sugar series format as they fume ‘A waste!’Dragons’ Den fury as Touker Suleyman accused of ‘conning’ young entrepreneur: ‘Taking advantage!’BBC EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy quits soap after 32 years as Sonia Jackson: ‘Extremely sad’
Leaving the contestants in a moment of suspense, he eventually concluded: “My gut feeling is telling me… Emma, it is with regret, you’re fired.”
“Oh, well thank you so much for the opportunity,” the 30-year-old stated as she left the room.
As she was driven away in a taxi, she argued: “Lord Sugar has absolutely made a mistake.
“I’m more than good enough to be his business partner, and this will not be stopping me.”
