'Apprentice' quitter 'linked to Sugar'

The man who quit The Apprentice before the first episode was filmed has a connection to Sir Alan Sugar, it has emerged.

Adam Freeman's sister Hayley has been photographed with Sir Alan's daughter Louise, with their children both attending the same private school in Essex, The Sun reports.

Freeman said: "I told the producers as they ask you when you go on the show if you have any links to Sir Alan. They didn't seem bothered.

"No-one else in the family is linked to the Sugars. My parents have no connection."

A spokeswoman for the series has reportedly denied that Freeman informed producers of any connection between himself and Sir Alan.

She said: "Adam was not asked to leave the show. He decided he couldn't leave his family for a long period of time. We supported his decision."

Freeman, who was described as a "bottler" by Sir Alan, claimed that the BBC have tried to make him "look like a fool" for leaving the show.