Karren Brady has hit back at speculation about her appearance, describing commentary on women's bodies as 'demeaning'. The 56-year-old businesswoman and Conservative life peer, known for her role on The Apprentice, addressed claims she used weight-loss drugs like Ozempic after a recent dramatic weight loss.
Speaking to The Sun, Brady said: 'I’m not on Ozempic, but questions about women’s weight come up far more often than they should. I’d much prefer the conversation to be focused around my work.' She added that people often presume things about her body, and that such talk is 'an effort to belittle women or make them feel insecure'.
Brady, who became managing director of Birmingham City FC at age 23, has faced scrutiny over her weight for decades. 'I’ve been called too fat, too thin and everything in between. All I want is to feel strong, physically and mentally,' she said. She also noted that women are frequently quizzed about their clothing choices in ways men are not, and now wears trainers to the House of Lords and the office, stating: 'With comfort comes confidence.'
The mother-of-two shared that she maintains a strict fitness routine at her local David Lloyd gym, focusing on cardiovascular exercise and weights, with occasional swimming. She previously revealed she aims to lose 5kg before filming each season of The Apprentice to look her normal weight next to Sir Alan Sugar, whom she described as 'so fit and healthy'.
Brady returns to TV screens this week as an adviser on The Apprentice alongside former winner Tim Campbell. The show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and Brady attributed its enduring popularity to its authenticity: 'What the viewer sees is exactly what happens in real time. There are no scripts and no retakes.'
Off-screen, Brady focuses on family, including her husband Paul Peschisolido and their two children. She enjoys being a grandmother to her daughter Sophia's two children, describing the bond as 'unconditional love'. The Apprentice returns to BBC One on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 9 PM.
