Some of the comments towards Zara are just shocking. She's a very clever, well spoken and ambitious young girl. She's not perfect, she can come across as smug and individualistic, but she's also only 16! Same with all the other contestants, they are all hard workers who are actually aiming to make something of their lives. They're young and have many years to grow and mature. There's actually something quite disturbing about reading such vindictive comments about much younger contestants on a television show that none of you have met in person.

Smug or competetive or whatever else you want to throw at them, at least they're trying to do something with their lives. A lot of people on here sound like they'd prefer if all young people were rioters and looters, so long as they weren't competetive.

So I offer my congratulations to all the contestants who took part and hope they have many successes in life.

I agree with Lady Rivers.

she's also in the big boy's league when she's in the business world and has put herself up for criticism as well as praise. I don't agree with nasty comments but I think people are entitled to highlight some of the cocky ways of Zara.

She's not in the business world, she's on the junior version of the apprentice.

Of course she's in the business world: she's dealing with clients and the public - selling/advertising/marketing and the prize is money to set up her own business????????

ONLY 16?????? Some of us were living in our own homes, working full time at ONLY 16...some people are fully 'grown up' at that age and I'm pretty sure she went into this program fully aware of the situation.

exactly, and let's face it she certainly acts a lot older than 16 with her confidence and assertiveness so I don't think we should be coseting her. Like I say, if you're going into that market, you need to be tough.

Last years winner is using the money to fund his degree, they can use it for whatever they like.

If you all feel satisfied with yourselves for insulting young and ambitious people then fine, but how sad for you that that's how you get your kicks.

maybe you need to take a trip to the X Factor threads! If people are putting themselves on the TV/Media to be assessed then it's not only favourable assessment that they will receive. I don't believe anybody's getting their kicks out of anything! They are 16 years of age and believe themselves to be of an age ready for business so I don't see what the problem is unless I've missed the abusive posts where vile names are called.

If you plough back through this forum, you'll see that I posted exactly the same sentiment before the series even started, having witnessed the vitriol dished out to Zoe in the last series (of what was the Junior Apprentice).

I was unceremoniously shot down in flames by he usual "I'll say what I like" keyboard warrior type.

But there, I wouldn't expect anything above general amoebal level from your average DS forum children.

If you display these sentiments, then I presume you trawl through all the threads on BGT when the child contestants are criticised? I don't think it's childish to remark on Zara - she's put herself up for the programme, presumably with the consent of her parents. I haven't seen anything yet about her which leads me to believe that there are childish posters on here. In fact, if you compare the posters on the Apprentice threads to the X Factor, things are a lot more civilised on here. If I was putting myself on TV, I'd expect to take unfavourable attention as well as favourable. It comes with the territory. If I saw anything that was untoward I would hit the alert button - simple.

I don't watch BGT or visit its forums on here. Principally because I have a life.

However, I don't think slagging off kids/teenagers while safely hiding behind an anonymous keyboard says anything positive about those doing it.

Ultimately it says everything about those doing the slagging and nothing about those they're criticising.

I don't like Zara, but at least she had the courage to get off her backside and expose herself to the scrutiny of the nation, unlike the likes of yourself and the other cowardly self-elected critics, madetomeasure.

Oh do get real. This is a forum which comments on TV programmes amongst other things. I would say the same to anybody's face that I say on here - would you?

Originally Posted by UnrealityTV:
“I don't watch BGT or visit its forums on here. Principally because I have a life.”

Ultimately, to use your expression, I suggest you complain to DS for allowing threads to be posted on the programme. Don't forget though, if you do go through with that rather than sit on your computer and moan in safety of course, you'll need to justify why you're so bothered when you expouse that TV is not reality so I presume that extends to its characters ie Zara.

Zara, like all of them, is a contestant on a show which is being televised. She isn’t a character. She isn't an actress playing a role. The only reality about The Apprentice is we're allowed to peep at a fraction of the process.

I know that you know that but UnrealityTV doesn't hence the description against the member's name. Going by that 'logic', I don't see what the problem is in critiquing Zara among other applicants.

Is your life a tad incomplete as you feel the need to comment on another section of the forum??? I think the condesending remarks are uncalled for and when I last looked we were still living in a free country where personal opinion and comments are allowed and if Zara chooses to put herself on a public forum she is old enough to accept those who want to pass comment on her attitude and character. I hardly think she cares much what anyone thinks and likely as yourself she looks down on the people who waste their life visiting forums and caring enough to write down their opinions. Might be wrong and she might be crying into her pillow...but I some how doubt it.

I fail to understand why people like you come onto forums like this and proceed to call posters names for commenting...when in fact you yourself are commenting. You obviously have a very low opinion of the people who use this site so it begs the question why you have a fairly high posting number?

It looks as if the OP's wish hasn't been granted. I've seen a couple of nasty comments about both Zara and James today.

Uh um Uhm Coughs and shakes head in disbelief.....

Checks out your own thread Re Jim: Silver Tounged easy going charmer..Ruthlessy self absorbed Basta*d...

I find that name calling to be the worse I have seen on here....

oh how interesting. I think Unrealitytv has a bridge that's missing a troll.

Having read through this forum, basically you took the words out of my mouth. You said it well. I admire Zara, but her higher than mighty attitude to others is hopefully her only fault. Saying this, the best two are definately in the final I predicted this from episode one. Merry Christmas all

If you'd taken ten nanoseconds to read the post above mine, you'd have realised that I was answering a direct question, viz:

Next question?

Oh absolutely! My place or yours? Form an orderly line now please


Really? I'd consider that rather more of a compliment than some of the stuff that's been bandied about about both JA and YA contestants. Plus Jim is a grown man, not a teenager - and I suspect that he's consider being called what I apparently posted more of a compliment than an insult.

It's rather nice to know that you take me so seriously as to use up several never-to-be-reclaimed minutes of your life ploughing back through my previous posts, though. I feel rather flattered - I didn't realise you cared so much


I do like to keep the Mumsnet Mafia entertained. Away with you, back to your Daily Mail and criticism of kids on TV. After all, your opinions are obviously very important, MTM. Oh hang on, what is that old expression about opinons?


Well I have to say you've got me there, Sian. I have no response other than to plead guilty as charged, m'lud.


The twofold answer to that is that (a) compared to many my post count is remarkably low - witness Jules1000 over 6000 and oulandy over 14,000! (and you accuse me of having a life that's 'a tad incomplete? ) - and (b) I enjoy looking at DS because it's always reassuring to see that there are people out there with much emptier lives (and heads) than me

(Oops, that's me banned )

Err it took me all of one minute...
Far less than this responsive /defensive post.
Jim may be a grown man but you still gave an armchair critique of someone on the TV, something you were critisizing others for. The word hypocrite springs to mind...

I think Mr unreality or is it Mrs is happier slagging off adults because the insecurity factor kicks in. Zara represents less of a threat, rather than the gorgeous and charismatic Jim so that explains everything.