One of this year’s candidates on The Apprentice was reportedly reprimanded by bosses after being accused of using racist language, before quitting the show.

Cosmetic dentist Dr Jana Denzel was thought to have used the term ‘coloured’ to describe a black person during a task.

MailOnline revealed on Thursday that Jana decided to quit the process, to the shock of Lord Alan Sugar, with his exit set to air in an upcoming episode.

Sources have now told The Sun that ahead of deciding to quit, Jana’s comment was reported to show bosses who made him undergo diversity training. The BBC insisted on Thursday his exit was not related to this incident.

Jana had been part of a team creating a character for a marketing campaign when he is understood to have used the phrase ‘coloured’ to describe a black person. 

It’s thought the comment particularly upset two female members of the team.

The Apprentice star Dr Jana Denzel was reportedly reprimanded by bosses after being accused of using racist language, before quitting the show

A source said: ‘The team had been discussing what the character should look like, and there were suggestions from some members to make sure the character was inclusive.

‘It was then that Jana made the ”coloured comment”, which particularly upset two female candidates on his team.’

‘While his co-stars did push back and make it clear to Jana the comment was unacceptable, it was then escalated further when it was flagged to the production team, who pulled Jana aside.’

Dr Jana, who has spoken of his pride at his Sri Lankan heritage and refugee parents, sat in on discussions with producers to make sure he understood the offensive nature of the remark.

It’s thought that Apprentice viewers will not see his comment on screen, but his exit will air during episode five in two weeks. 

A spokesperson for the BBC told the publication: ‘Jana withdrew for completely unrelated and separate reasons, and has our full support.

‘We were made aware of an ill-informed comment. As soon as it was flagged, we took swift and comprehensive action to address the issue.

‘Whilst we have made it very clear to Jana that his use of language was not acceptable, we are confident there was no ill-intent behind it. The concerns of all parties involved have been addressed and resolved.’

The cosmetic dentist (pictured right) was thought to have used the term ‘coloured’ to describe a black person during a task

Earlier in the series, candidates were given warnings about sensitive language during a task also involving skin colour. 

Jana runs a cosmetic dentistry practice in Harley Street, and boasts A-List stars and Grammy Award winners as some of his clients. He hoped that with Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment, he could take his business global.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for The Apprentice and Dr Jana Denzel for further comment. 

On Thursday, MailOnline exclusive revealed that one candidate decided to quit the process in upcoming scenes.

A TV source told MailOnline: ‘The Apprentice isn’t for everyone and some of the candidates only realise that once they’re in the process.

‘One contestant this series decided to leave the compeтιтion early telling Lord Sugar “this isn’t for me.”

‘It came as a total shock in the boardroom – some of the cast now believe the candidate wanted to avoid the potential embarrᴀssment of being fired.

‘They saved Lord Sugar the trouble and simply gave up the chance of becoming his next business partner.’

A source close to the candidate told MailOnline: ‘Ultimately, they realised that the show wasn’t the right process for them and their fellow candidates wanted it more.

MailOnline revealed on Thursday that Jana decided to quit the process , to the shock of Lord Alan Sugar , with his exit set to air in an upcoming episode

Sources have now said that ahead of deciding to quit, Jana’s comment was reported to show bosses who made him undergo diversity training

‘Staying in the process wouldn’t have been fair to their compeтιтors as far as they were concerned.

‘They have a very successful business, and they always had one eye on getting back to that. Everyone involved just wishes them the absolute best.’

The show has a history of candidates quitting before being sacked.

Read More Who was fired from The Apprentice 2025? ‘Unpopular’ Carlo Brancati is the third candidate to be axed

In 2023, Shannon Martin left the process, telling Lord Sugar in the boardroom: ‘I just don’t think it’s the environment for me.’

During the same season, Reece Donnelly was axed from the compeтιтion after breaking show rules by drinking alcohol on a flight to Dubai.

Shama Amin stood back in 2022 because of the pain she experienced with her rheumatoid arthritis. 

She said: ‘Mentally, I was strong enough to carry on. But my body wasn’t allowing me to carry on. So I had no choice but to make a difficult decision like that.’

Last year, The Apprentice was embroiled in a race row when Shazia Hussain claimed she was racially bullied during her time on the show. 

Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her troubles began after she named a giraffe Yogita for a pre-school cartoon during a task under a diversity and inclusion theme.

However, she insists some people in her team struggled with the name of the animal, saying young children would not be able to pronounce it.

She told The Sun: ‘I felt exposed to aggression because of it. I think it was racist’

While her team won the task, she added: ‘After the episode, I feel I was verbally abused by some of the candidates.

‘They (the BBC) brought in a diversity specialist to talk to everyone but I feel nothing changed. The teams were also rearranged but I feel the bullying continued.

‘I feel like I was bullied and harᴀssed to the point that I asked to leave the house. I feel like the BBC have failed me.’

She added that she complained about the three candidates involved but has not heard anything more, adding that she thought she was fired after the fifth task ‘because it was easier to take me out of the situation’.

Shazia said that she believes the BBC did not follow through on their duty of care for her.

A spokesperson for The Apprentice told the publication: ‘The Apprentice has a zero-tolerance policy on any kind of bullying or threatening behaviour.

‘As soon as Shazia raised a concern an investigation was conducted and she received in-person support from senior members of the production team.

‘The Apprentice has a strict code of conduct and we take all complaints very seriously and investigate when needed. As a result, when action is required, we take it.’

‘Throughout the process there is always somebody on hand to deal with any concerns including five members of the production team who live in the house with the candidates during filming.

‘If anyone wants to leave the house or the process, candidates are free to do so at any time.

‘Since the beginning of the process, Shazia, along with all other candidates, has been, and continues to be, offered extensive and ongoing support, in all aspects of welfare (including managing social media), from BBC and the production company.

‘Duty of care to all our candidates is our highest priority and the support offered to candidates before, during and after is paramount.’

Another candidate from last series, Dr Asif Munaf was dropped from The Apprentice spin-off after it was revealed he’d made a series of ‘anti-Jewish’ posts in the aftermath of Hamas’ murderous October 7 attacks.