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The BBC has requested that the producers of “The Apprentice” implement more stringent background checks on contestants following the discovery of offensive social media posts by a participant slated to appear in the upcoming series.
According to a report by The Sun on Sunday, candidate Levi Hodgetts-Hague’s messages contained discriminatory remarks directed towards Muslims and sexist comments about women.
Naked, the production company responsible for the program, acknowledged that its social media checks “failed to flag the offensive posts” and has announced a review of its procedures.
Hodgetts-Hague has since issued an apology for the posts, which have been deleted.
The messages, reportedly originating from Hodgetts-Hague, who hails from South Yorkshire, are said to have included attacks on Islam and the use of derogatory language towards women.
Further published posts from 2013 allegedly revealed his support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
BBC News has not independently verified the content of the posts due to the candidate’s social media account being deactivated.
A BBC spokesperson stated that the views expressed in the posts were “totally unacceptable” and that the organization is treating the matter “extremely seriously.”
“We were completely unaware that this contestant had made such abhorrent comments,” the spokesperson added.
“We have requested that the independent production company conduct a thorough review of the social media checks undertaken, given the evident failure of the process in this instance.”
The 20th series of “The Apprentice,” hosted by Lord Sugar, is scheduled to premiere on January 29, featuring 20 candidates vying for a £250,000 investment and a partnership with the business magnate.
Filming for the series concluded in 2025, ensuring Hodgetts-Hague’s appearance in the program.
In a statement provided to The Sun on Sunday, Hodgetts-Hague expressed being “embarrassed and ashamed” by the posts, which he stated were made over a decade ago.
“I offer my sincere apologies to all who I’ve offended, as well as my fellow candidates, for the truly awful language and views that they contain,” he said.
“I take full accountability for the publishing of those posts. They are not a reflection of the values I uphold today.”
“I would like to apologise for my actions, as well as to the production team for failing to bring this account to their attention.”
Naked, the production company, stated that it collaborates with “reputable third-party providers” to perform comprehensive background and social media checks on all candidates.
According to a spokesperson, this constitutes part of the company’s “rigorous due diligence” process prior to casting.
“On this occasion, these checks failed to flag the offensive posts, therefore we will be reviewing this process moving forward.”
“Levi’s historical posts contain language which is unacceptable and Levi has been spoken to about this behaviour,” they added. “He has apologised and insists that these posts do not reflect the man he is now.”
Earlier this week, a separate former Apprentice contestant, Dr Asif Munaf, was struck off the medical register after a tribunal found he posted antisemitic, racist and sexist posts on social media.
Munaf, a candidate on series 18 in 2024, posted or reposted a total of 36 “seriously offensive” comments on X between October 2023 and July 2025.
Dr Asif Munaf posted or reposted 36 “seriously offensive” comments on X, a tribunal finds.
Munaf is accused of misconduct after sharing a series of “offensive” posts over a two-year period.
The show included appearances from Lewis Capaldi and stars of Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice and Gladiators.
Michelle Niziol dropped out of her A-Levels and took on three jobs at 17 to keep her family’s home.
Harpreet Kaur founded the Oh So Yum dessert chain in 2015 but left the firm last year.
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