Jones criticises 'unrealistic Apprentice'

Rex Features

Dragons' Den judge Peter Jones has claimed that The Apprentice has become unrealistic.

Speaking to The Press and Journal, Jones said Sir Alan Sugar's BBC programme has shifted away from reality and into the realm of a "Big Brother-type show".

He commented: "I'm a fan of Sir Alan, but the last series was a bit fictional. The idea of recruiting anyone who lied on their CV just isn't credible. It's turning into an entertaining Big Brother-type show rather than a programme about business reality."

Referring to rumours that Sugar uses a raised seat on the show, the tycoon admitted that similar tactics were employed by the production team on Dragons' Den.

Jones, who is 6ft 7in, said: "You don't get to see [my] height when I'm sitting in a chair. They put people like Theo [Paphitis] in a chair with stilts to make him seem bigger, so we all look the same."