TV
  • Image of Lizzie
  • Image of Gbemi
  • Image of Hannah
  • Image of Haya
  • Image of Hayley
  • Image of Zara
  • Image of Ben
  • Image of Harry
  • Image of Lewis
  • Image of Mahamed
  • Image of Harry
  • Image of James

Paphitis slams BBC rival 'The Apprentice'

Published Monday, Aug 18 2008, 20:58 BST | By Simon Reynolds
Paphitis slams BBC rival 'The Apprentice'

Rex Features

Dragons' Den judge Theo Paphitis has said rival BBC business reality show The Apprentice is no longer challenging.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Paphitis, who made his fortune turning around failing businesses, likened Sir Alan Sugar's programme to Big Brother.

He said: "I used to watch The Apprentice, but it's become Big Brother. They all live in a house together and are given tasks - where do you recognise that? I don't think it's challenging anymore."

Paphitis continued: "I like Alan Sugar. I think he's fabulous. But the whole format and the things that the contestants do - it's not a million miles away from what happens in Big Brother, which isn't the most intellectually stimulating programme."

Paphitis's comments echo those of fellow Dragon Peter Jones, who recently dismissed The Apprentice as "fictional".

Top Stories

Play games on DS
Bingo for big cash prizes – hundreds of winners every day
Play games on DS
Search for a husband who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Letters from Nowhere
S6 T1.4292001724243 {run_id}