British Bangladeshi candidate Rothna has been fired from The Apprentice in week 10, just weeks after a social media storm erupted over claims she was edited out of key scenes.
The latest episode saw candidates take on a pet-focused task, where teams were challenged to design a product and create a social media campaign before pitching to major UK retailers. The high-pressure brief ultimately proved decisive, with a double exit reshaping the boardroom.
East London estate agent Kieran McCartney was the first to leave, honouring a deal he struck with Lord Sugar the previous week. As project manager, he had pledged to walk if his team failed to win, a promise he upheld after the loss.
The decision left Rothna and fellow candidate Dan returning to the boardroom, where Lord Sugar delivered the final verdict, sending Rothna home.
Her exit comes amid heightened attention from viewers, following controversy over her limited screen time in an earlier TV shopping task. Despite appearing briefly on screen, Rothna later shared clips on Instagram and TikTok showing she had played a far more active role in selling a jewellery product.
In the unseen footage, she confidently promoted the item, highlighting its durability and “timeless” appeal, telling viewers: “Just look at how sparkling it is, the colour range goes with any outfit.”
Overlaying the video, she wrote: “POV: they tried to make you non-existent this episode but you have receipts.”
The post quickly gained traction, with viewers flooding the comments in support. Many accused producers of downplaying her contribution, with some calling the edit “intentional” and “unfair”.
At the time, Rothna avoided the boardroom despite her team’s loss, a decision that surprised some fans given her reduced visibility on screen.
Following her departure this week, Rothna addressed the situation on social media, suggesting her experience on the show did not fully reflect reality.
She described her exit as “heartbreaking” and indicated she did not believe the decision was justified, adding that “TV isn’t all black and white”.
Her departure has reignited debate among viewers about how candidates are portrayed on screen, with supporters arguing that key moments can be lost in the edit, shaping public perception of performance.
While Rothna’s journey on the show has come to an end, her outspoken stance and the backing she received online have ensured her impact extends beyond the boardroom. Like Rothna said: “Stay tuned – we’ve only just started”
