The Apprentice Contestant Levi Hague Details Food Poisoning Ordeal That Led to Isolation
Levi Hague, a former RAF Gunner and current contestant on the BBC's business competition The Apprentice, has publicly addressed his noticeable absence from recent episodes of the show. In a candid social media post, Hague revealed that a severe bout of food poisoning was the cause, leading production staff to isolate him from the other candidates to prevent any potential spread of illness.
Severe Symptoms and Weight Loss Comparable to Ozempic User
In a TikTok video, Hague recounted the distressing details of his illness. He explained that after consuming spaghetti Bolognese or chicken late one night, he developed intense food poisoning symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting. The situation became so dire that he vomited upon arriving at the boardroom location, prompting immediate action from the show's producers.
"They isolated me straight away, so I wouldn't spread it to any other contestants," Hague stated. He was subsequently moved from the shared house to separate hotel accommodation, where he remained for four to five days while recovering under regular monitoring by production staff.
The contestant described losing significant weight during this period, humorously noting he "lost more weight than an Ozempic user." He also revealed experiencing extreme gastrointestinal distress, stating he stopped counting after 21 bathroom visits in a single day.
Timing Coincided with Food-Related Task
Hague's absence occurred during what he described as a "food task," making his participation particularly impractical given his condition. In an accompanying social media caption, he clarified: "Given it was a food task, it probably wasn't the best idea to have me anywhere near the public or a kitchen or away from a toilet."
The contestant assured viewers that he would return to screens in subsequent episodes, mentioning his "extremely rosy cheeks and this northern accent" would be back. He also expressed gratitude for the messages of support and concern he received from the public.
Controversial Background and Production Company Response
Hague's appearance on The Apprentice has not been without controversy. Prior to his food poisoning revelation, the contestant faced scrutiny after historical offensive social media posts were uncovered. These posts contained discriminatory remarks toward Muslims and sexist comments about women, which Hague has since apologized for and deleted.
Production company Naked acknowledged that their social media checks had "failed to flag the offensive posts" and committed to reviewing their vetting process. A BBC spokesperson described the views in the posts as "totally unacceptable" and stated the organization was taking the matter "extremely seriously."
The Apprentice, hosted by Lord Alan Sugar, continues to air on BBC One and iPlayer, with contestants competing for a £250,000 investment into their business ventures. This season has already seen a surprise double elimination in the opening episode and two additional firings, maintaining the show's reputation for high-stakes business drama.
