The Apprentice: Why did contestant Shama leave series 16 of the BBC show - what did Lord Sugar say?

Shama was hoping to become Lord Sugar’s next business partner before she left the process - this is why she removed herself from the show
Shama Amin (Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston)Shama Amin (Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Shama Amin (Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Fans of BBC show The Apprentice began tuning in to episode three of the latest series, with many surprised by an announcement made by one fan-favourite contestant.

Shama Amin, 41, made a shock announcement at the top of the show that she would voluntarily be leaving the process.

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Lord Sugar, his advisors Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, and the remaining contestant were shocked by the announcement.

Shama had impressed viewers so far with his common sense and business savvy.

Why did Shama leave The Apprentice series 16?

Shama made the heartbreaking announcement before the teams broke up for their non-alcoholic drink task in episode three of the series.

While the teams met with Lord Sugar and his advisors at Mercato Metropolitano in Central London, Shama took her opportunity to make her announcement.

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She said that she was leaving the show for health reasons, adding that the process was too gruelling for her to cope with.

Shama, who specialised in the childcare sector, said: “I would just like to say something, Lord Sugar, if that’s OK. I suffer from a condition called rheumatoid arthritis.

“Because of medical reasons, due to this process being so physically demanding, despite the efforts the whole team has made to support me, I’ve had to make a difficult decision to leave the process.”

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease in which joins in the body become painful and swollen as a result the immune system being targeted.

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Her revelation came as a shock to her fellow contestants and Lord Sugar, who was sad to see her go.

What was Lord Sugar’s reaction to Shama leaving the show?

In response to Shama leaving the series, Lord Sugar gave her his condolences.

He said: “Well Shama, I’m really sad to hear that. I wish you and your family all the best for the future.”

The official Apprentice Twitter account tweeted: “We are sad to announce that Shama Amin has chosen to leave The Apprentice due to a pre-existing medical condition.

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“We have loved having her on the show, and we wish Shama all the best for the future.”

Who is left in The Apprentice series 16?

Many had pegged Shama as a standout contestant in the series within the first two episodes down to her straight-talking demeanor and common sense.

Navid Sole was fired in the third episode of the series, after his team lost the non-alcoholic drinks task, leaving 12 contestants in the competition.

Those remaining in the process are:

  • Brittany Carter
  • Aaron Willis
  • Akeen Bundu-Kamara
  • Amy Anzel
  • Akshay Thakrar
  • Alex Short
  • Harpreet Kaur
  • Francesca Kennedy Wallbank
  • Nick Showering
  • Sophie Wilding
  • Kathryn Louise Burn
  • Stephanie Affleck

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