The Apprentice semi-finalist Lottie Lion has revealed that she was prescribed anti-depressants after being accused of racism on the show.
The 19-year-old librarian was investigated by the BBC following complaints after she told rival Lubna Farhan – whose parents hail from Pakistan – to ‘shut up Gandhi’ and threatened to ‘f***ing knock her out’ in a string of messages shared on the 2019 cast’s group chat.
Addressing the racist allegations and how they affected her, Lottie began: ‘I have struggled for quite a long time.
‘When it came out and Lubna decided to villainise me it had such a huge impact on me.
‘I was prescribed anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication, which I have been on in the past.’
Lottie added to The Sun: ‘I’m not a racist and I stick to that. I need to show everybody I’m a kind, caring individual.
‘I’m not this cold, stone-hearted bitch everybody sees on the series.’
A spokeswoman for The Apprentice said in a statement: ‘The wellbeing of the candidates that take part in The Apprentice is of paramount importance, and we have a thorough and robust duty of care protocol in place which includes an experienced network of support for Candidates before, during and after filming – including making support available at a location convenient to them.’
After Lottie and Lubna’s clash became public, Lottie released a statement via PA to stress: ‘It is not true that I would ever be racist.
‘My use of the word Gandhi was misinterpreted, it was as candidates in the group chat had been quoting Gandhi previously.
‘The comments were taken out of context, and I ask the public not to make judgment without knowing the full context.
‘At the moment, I would like my focus to be on the show, and I’m not interested in negative media attention.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
The Apprentice continues on Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.
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