As the new series of the BBC’s popular entrepreneur show kicks off, a former contestant has revealed her behind-the scenes experience – including claims of producers controlling everything from tasks to haircuts.

Sam Saadet, 34, appeared on The Apprentice last year and competed against other candidates all wanting to win Lord Alan Sugar’s hefty £250k investment prize.

The glamorous mother from EsSєx described how even the seven-stage audition process was ‘extremely vigorous’, especially the final part where she felt producers tried to push people away from the show. 

She told The Sun: ‘The producer told me, “I’m going to give you a thousand reasons to say no to the show.”‘

Sam claimed she was told she would have her pᴀssport taken away, be cut off from contacting her family and friends and would have to work long days with little sleep. 

However, the warnings did not deter the businesswoman, who responded with ‘bring it on’. 

Sam Saadet, 34, appeared on The Apprentice last year and competed against other candidates all wanting to win Lord Alan Sugar ‘s hefty £250,000 investment prize

The glamorous mother from EsSєx described how even the seven-stage audition process was ‘extremely vigorous’

Baroness Karren Brady, Lord Alan Sugar and Tim Campbell on The Apprentice 

For the show, Sam pitched The Mummy Movement App – a pre and postnatal health and fitness application that she founded. 

The warnings about how tough the show could be came true and Sam claims the producers controlled many aspects of her life during her time there. 

Read More Meet this year’s Apprentice candidates as new series starts TONIGHT

Contestants had to give up their phones, pᴀssports and credit cards when filming commenced. 

Sam claimed that even the salons participants used for haircuts or manicures had to be approved by producers. 

She said: ‘You can’t call your mate and get them to do it. Whatever the person is charging, you’re paying it. I think they pop up the prices knowing it’s for TV and because of the privacy.’

The businesswoman also alleged that episodes of the show are shaped by the production team.

She said: ‘They used to build a narrative about a person on a task that leads to them being fired.’

For the show, Sam pitched ‘The Mummy Movement App’ – a pre and postnatal health and fitness application that she founded 

The warnings about how tough the show could be came true and Sam claims the producers controlled many aspects of her life during her time there

Sam used the cereal task as an example and explained they were given limited choices of images to choose for the packaging. 

When it came to the boardroom, Lord Sugar called the team out for not putting a bowl on the box, despite not being given the option to, and Sam claims they had to ‘go along with it’.

She added: ‘In your mind, you know that wasn’t an option but you can’t say that. Then you look at the other team and they had the option of using a bowl on their cereal box. So it’s clear they push a narrative.’

Looking back at the Treasure Hunt task, Sam claims they could only use pre-approved vendors and believes they may have been told what prices to accept, adding that a man selling oysters would only offer her £15 for 12, but agreed to £10 with the other team.

It comes as the new series of The Apprentice starts tonight with the next 18 hopefuls vying for Lord Sugar’s investment. 

The businesswoman also alleged that episodes of the show are shaped by the production team 

Sam claims even the companies participants used for haircuts or to get their nails done had to be approved by producers

However, while previous series would see bosses track down budding business moguls hoping for their big break in the industry, it seems many of this year’s hopefuls are already influencers in the making.

With candidates including a budding animator, a pizza company owner and a meal prep entrepreneur many already boast a huge online following on Instagram and TikTok, no doubt meaning some viewers will already be familiar with their work.

This new series has also already been hit by controversy, with convenience store owner Amber-Rose Badrudin reportedly caught with another contestant in a H๏τel room during filming abroad in Turkey.

MailOnline approached the BBC and Fremantle UK for comment.