The Apprentice is unrealistic: union

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Extraordinary public profile: Alan Sugar

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Top reality show The Apprentice has come under fire from trade unions for portraying an "unrealistic" business environment as the award winning programme returns to screens tonight.

No-nonsense businessman Sir Alan Sugar (60) will challenge a new group of 16 aspiring tycoons. The candidates lined up for series four include a barrister, a bank manager, a risk manager, and an ex-Army engineer.

There is also a single mother, an international car trader, an artist, a former championship show jumper and an applicant with royal connections.

But despite being a hit in the ratings, union bosses are not so impressed.

John O'Farrell from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said the show is unrealistic.

"It bears as much resemblance to the real world of work as, say, American wrestling compared to professional boxing," he said.

"I think it is a bit staged and bears very little relationship to the real world of the boardroom.

"People enjoy both, but don't let the two get confused.

"It is a bit of an exaggeration and it is about people who are reasonably good looking and competing with each other in a personal way rather than any professional way."

He added: "There is something creepy about them all fawning over Alan Sugar.

"If I had a boss like that, who thought he was a god I would definitely be on the devil's side."

However, the show is still attracting contestants with 20,000 CVs being received around the UK.

Sir Alan is keen to reassure contestants the salary isn't the prize.

"One of you is going to end up working for me on a six figure salary, but I'll tell you what, the money doesn't mean anything. I've been in business for over 40 years. Your prize is working with me."

The first episode tonight has Sir Alan giving the rookies a surprise.

"This is a business boot camp," he says.

"Mary Poppins I am not. I'm not going to hold your hand, I'm not going to tell you what to do. You're on your own two feet.

"You might think you're going off now and settle in. Well, you're not. Business starts now."

However, Sir Alan recently criticised the BBC for portraying him as 'Mr Nasty' protesting in the Radio Times that his fearsome boardroom image had been exaggerated.