Featured Image Credit: BBC/PA Images/Alamy
Topics: TV and Film, Gordon Ramsay
Lucy Devine
Lord Alan Sugar has accused TV chef Gordon Ramsay of 'ripping off' his show The Apprentice with his latest series, Future Food Stars.
Ramsay launched the series last year, which sees 12 entrepreneurs competing to secure an investment to begin their own foodie venture.
Discussing how the show got the green light, Lord Sugar says he doesn't know how it was given the go ahead by lawyers.
"I think broadcasters, Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV have tried for many years at least for 17 years to try and replicate the elimination process of The Apprentice. I say this with great respect to them but they've failed," Lord Sugar said to the Daily Mail.
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"Last year, Gordon Ramsay had some cockamamie idea... I like Gordon and I think he's very good and should stick to what he should do, cooking and all that stuff.
"He had something, which was like, I don't know how the lawyers allowed it because it was a virtual rip-off of The Apprentice.
"No disrespect to Gordon but stick to your day job mate, that's all I would say."
Future Food Stars kicked off last year and is set to continue for a second series this year.
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The eight-part series saw 12 candidates compete against each other for Ramsay's investment in their business. It's not strictly about cooking though, with competitors pitching all different kinds of food-related products.
Sharing a casting call on Twitter, Ramsay said at the time: "For those of you in the UK, I've got some very exciting news about a brand new series I will be doing with BBC One.
"Now, if you think you've got the next big, bold and exciting food or drink business idea, Studio Ramsay would like to hear from you. Why? Because I'm investing my time, my money to take the next product, app, food truck or something completely new to the next level.
"And you don't even need to be a chef - your business may be in development; that's how exciting this new series is.
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"So, if you're based in the UK and you have passion, drive and a very strong work ethic please register your interest at the email address right here.
"I can't wait to see what you've got."
He added that his aim was to "catapult someone to the next level and invest £150,000 of my own cash into their business."
LADbible has reached out to Gordon Ramsay's rep for comment.