Sugar blasted for arthritis comments

Sir Alan Sugar has been criticised after appearing to make jibes about an Apprentice candidate's arthritis problem.

Sandwich shop owner Rocky Andrews, 21, decided to launch a business career after the condition thwarted his dreams of being a professional footballer with Middlesbrough.

Andrews was eliminated in the most recent episode of the reality show, which saw the contestants launching catering businesses.

Speaking in the boardroom, Sugar announced: "Your career at Middlesbrough was halted. You got taken off the pitch in a stretcher. This time you're off the pitch in a black cab. Rocky, you're fired."

Jane Tadman, from the Arthritis Research Campaign, has now claimed that Sugar's remarks were ill-considered.

"We are always trying to move away from negative images of arthritis," Tadman told the Daily Star Sunday. "I think a lot of people think arthritis only affects older people but it can affect anyone - even babies. Sir Alan's comments are pretty negative and not welcome."

A friend of Andrews added: "It's not as if Rocky could have done anything about getting arthritis. It's not his fault it didn't work out."

The Apprentice continues on Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.