The production company behind the popular BBC show The Apprentice has announced a review of its contestant vetting procedures following revelations that Levi Hague, set to appear in the upcoming season, had posted racist and sexist comments on social media in the early 2010s. Hague has since apologised for the posts, stating they do not reflect his current views, and the company admitted its background checks failed to flag the offensive material.

The incident comes just days after another former contestant, Dr Asif Munaf, was struck off the medical register due to a series of antisemitic, racist, and sexist social media posts. His comments, which spanned several years, included derogatory remarks about Jews, women, and other groups, leading to his removal from both the medical profession and a spin-off show.

The Apprentice has faced previous controversies over contestants' conduct, including an incident last year where a participant left the show after making an offensive remark. The BBC and the production company have reiterated their commitment to diversity and inclusion, promising stricter checks in future seasons.