Fired ‘Apprentice’ candidate Joanna Jarjue has criticised the way she was portrayed on the show, but was afraid to speak up for fear of being accused of “playing the race card”.

The businesswoman, who missed out on a place in the final after the infamous interviews round earlier this week, revealed she was left in tears behind the scenes of the BBC reality show over the “engineered narrative” around her.

After reading a Guardian op-ed on the treatment Alexandra Burke had been subjected to on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this year, Joanna decided to speak out about her ‘Apprentice’ appearance.

“Was obvious to me what my ‘character’ was going to be & cried about it behind the scenes but was always scared to voice it out of fear of looking like I was playing the ‘race card’,” she said.

“Glad so many other people have noticed especially after it’s so blatant after the final 5 ep.”

Was obvious to me what my ‘character’ was going to be & cried about it behind the scenes but was always scared to voice it out of fear of looking like I was playing the ‘race card’. Glad so many other people have noticed especially after it’s so blatant after the final 5 ep. https://t.co/XNE68Ywqny

December 16, 2017
She continued: “I just feel bad for the experts & interviewers on the show who seem to have taken some the wrap for it because it’s a narrative they didn’t create or probably realise was being engineered.

“Onwards and upwards. This is the last I’ll speak of it but something does need to change because it’s not right,” she added.

I just feel bad for the experts & interviewers on the show who seem to have taken some the wrap for it because it’s a narrative they didn’t create or probably realise was being engineered ??‍♀️

December 16, 2017
Onwards and upwards ✌?this is the last I’ll speak of it but something does need to change because it’s not right.
However, Joanna was quick to say she didn’t believe she was fired due to her race.

After fellow contestant Bushra Shaikh admitted she was “worried about representation throughout” and questioned if her heritage was why she was fired in week nine, Joanna replied: “I disagree Bushra. I don’t know what your feelings are towards racism and firings on the show but i don’t think people were fired due to race.

“The unfair portrayal of character for entertainment purposes is what has played up to certain stereotypes in my opinion.”

I disagree Bushra. I don’t know what your feelings are towards racism and firings on the show but i don’t think people were fired due to race. The unfair portrayal of character for entertainment purposes is what has played up to certain stereotypes in my opinion. https://t.co/QFkGjRfGUS

December 16, 2017
Bushra agreed, saying: “Firings are nothing to with race. Unfortunately there is sometimes a pattern with TV, where certain people can be put into a role. I have no answer to that- just that fair representation should always be made.”

I agree. Firings are nothing to do with race. Unfortunately there is sometimes a pattern with TV, where certain people can be put into a role. I have no answer to that- just that fair representation should always be made.

December 16, 2017
HuffPost UK has contacted an ‘Apprentice’ spokesperson for comment and is awaiting a response.

The final of ‘The Apprentice’ will see Sarah Lynn and James White battle it out for a £250,000 investment in their business from Lord Sugar.

‘The Apprentice’ concludes on Sunday (17 December) at 9pm on BBC One.