Business tycoon Lord Alan Sugar, 71, is renowned for his sharp words, explosive rants in the boardroom and quick firing of The Apprentice contestants.
But, he has revealed how he once threatened to quit the popular reality business TV show, unless BBC bosses changed his perception.
The businessman gave producers an ultimatum, to stop making him “look like a bl**dy ogre” or he would walk away.
Fearing The Apprentice wouldn’t be the same without his control, it seems he got his way and is now even allowed to help edit the show.
In an interview with The Mirror, he explained how he’s “always like to be a bit humorous”.
“But unfortunately previous editors of The Apprentice, under the BBC’s instructions, have been advised to make me look like a bl**dy ogre or whatever,” he explained.
“Part and parcel of the agreement for me to continue doing the programme is for me to say that I am not going to be shown as that anymore.”
He added how “people get nervous” when they are around him “because of this perceived stance” they see on show.
“In real life, it’s very straightforward, very business-like. There’s no reason for people to be nervous. t’s as simple as that,” Lord Sugar divulged.
This series, viewers have seen a warmer side to the mogul, with him even attempting to put the contestants in the boardroom at ease with a few jokes.
Last week, Kurran Pooni was seen on screen with his arm in a cast and sling.
It comes after the contestants, during downtime in The Apprentice decided to have an arm wrestle and unfortunately for Kurran he came out worse than just losing.
When it came to the contestants gathering in the boardroom following that week’s task, Lord Sugar noticed his injury and asked: “What happened to you?”
Kurran revealed: “I fractured a bone in my arm last night in the house, unfortunately. We were having an arm wrestling competition.”
Lord Sugar gasped: “Arm wrestling competition?” before making a jibe at Kurran’s acting career.
He teased: “I thought actors were supposed to break a leg?
“Well, you finally got into a cast anyway. Your big break? And from what I hear, you’ve appeared in Casualty, also?”
Tonight the remaining thirteen contestants are challenged with selling high-end products and services at one of the world’s biggest bodybuilding expos.
However, tensions will rise when they clash over which team will get to sell top notch weights.
Who will be the next candidate to be fired?
The Apprentice 2018 airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
