Apprentice fans accuse Lord Sugar of SPOILING the winner before final

The Apprentice fans were left furious on Thursday as they claimed bosses had already given away who was going to be crowned series winner before the final. 

Marnie Swindells went head to head with Rochelle Anthony for the £250,000 investment in the final and was eventually as Lord Sugar’s new hire.

But some viewers were not surprised about the winner, revealing that a teaser video from the final shared last week had ‘ruined’ the victor for them.

They claimed that in the footage, where Lord Sugar said: ‘You’re going to be my new business partner’, it was easy to work out who won because he pointed to the left.

Angry Apprentice watchers took to Twitter to slam the BBC for sharing the clip.

Oops! They claimed that in the footage, where Lord Sugar said: ‘You’re going to be my new business partner’, it was easy to work out who won because he pointed to the left

One person wrote: ‘Marnie wins it? She’s sat to the left of @Lord_Sugar and he points to the winner with his left hand.’

Another said: ‘Why show the finger at the end? It’s clearly whoever is sat on the left.’ 

It was the second year in a row that eagle-eyed viewers ‘spotted’ the winner. 

However, some fans also claimed that they had predicted the winner because Marnie posted about her boxing gym launch three weeks ago.

One person said: ‘I can’t be the only one the knew she had won from last week? 

‘She posted on her Instagram that her new gym was open and she referenced several times in the process she needs @Lord_Sugar investment to open it. So yeah, she gave away the result last week.’

Another said: ‘Marnie posting about her new boxing gym launch a couple of weeks ago was such a spoiler — but what a fighter.’

However, Marnie refuted their claims, saying she had opened the gym ‘entirely separate’ from Lord Sugar. 

Not impressed: Angry Apprentice viewers took to Twitter to slam the BBC for sharing the clip of Lord Sugar pointing at the winner

Raging: However, some fans also claimed that they had predicted the winner because Marnie posted about her boxing gym launch three weeks ago

It comes after the series 17 finale saw previously fired candidates return once more and help the girls create branding for the businesses, including a digital billboard.

At the end of the tasks, Marnie and Rochelle both took to the stage to pitch their ideas to a room full of industry experts – as well as Alan, Tim Campbell and Karren Brady – with the duo promoting their brands and answering tough questions.

After seeking the help of the experts, Lord Sugar, the finalists and the other former candidates headed back to the boardroom where he dissected their business ideas and branding endeavours.

Following a final chat with the girls and his trusted advisors, Lord Sugar then made his decision, opting to invest £250,000 into helping Marnie create her dream boxing gym – with a focus on feelings rather than fitness. 

Speaking after her win, Marnie said in the taxi: ‘It feels so strange to be called Lord Sugar’s business partner! But I’ll not stop saying it because I’m so happy!’ 

It comes as Marnie has hit back at critics who have compared the show to Love Island, saying it is possible to be both glamorous and a serious businesswoman. 

The boxing champion beat salon owner Rochelle to win the BBC1 contest and a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar to franchise her gym. 

 However, despite the final being an all-female affair, the programme has been accused of dumbing down and selecting contestants who look like they belong on Love Island.

Chuffed: The court advocate won Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment after her boxing idea fought off stiff competition from Rochelle Anthony’s diverse hair salon

Exclusively speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Swindells said: ‘Women can have it all, and to say we have to pick between being glamorous and being good businesswomen is an insult. We can do both and we can do it all. 

‘It is okay for women to be online and be expressive and show their fashion, their make-up and hair. Time has moved forward, and we are in a more digital age. 

‘The saying ‘get yourself a woman that can do both’ shouldn’t even exist. It goes without saying that we are all of those things. ‘Women can take on many hats and be many different people and it really is an unfair narrative.’ 

 Ms Swindells, a court advocate from Manchester, impressed Lord Sugar during the winner-takes-all task after pitching her boxing gym to hundreds of industry experts.