'Nothing is scripted': Karren Brady dismisses claims that Lord Sugar has a joke writer on The Apprentice

Karren Brady has rejected suggestions that Lord Sugar has someone to write his jokes on 'The Apprentice' and say the wisecracks are a result of his natural sense of humour.

Karren Brady

Karren Brady has rubbished claims that Lord Sugar has a gag writer on 'The Apprentice'.

The 76-year-old business mogul has notably increased his wisecracks in the latest series of the BBC One reality show but his long-serving aide is adamant that the one-liners are as a result of his natural gift for comedy.

Karren told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: "His jokes are all off the cuff. Nothing is scripted.

"What you see actually happens. There's no autocue, no retakes, no nothing.

"None of us know what's going to be said or come out in the boardroom until he starts asking the questions."

The 54-year-old businesswoman insists that Lord Sugar is "incredibly witty" despite adopting a "stern and grumpy" persona when dealing with candidates on the show.

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Karren said: "His persona on television is that he's quite stern and grumpy. But actually I've spent a lot of time with him and we're friends – and he's an incredibly witty and funny individual."

The West Ham United vice-chairman has served as one of Lord Sugar's aides on 'The Apprentice' since 2010 and insists that it is the only TV show she will do, despite being offered the opportunity to take part in 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

She said: "I do 'The Apprentice' not because I want to be on TV. I love the ethos, which is to show how to run a business and be an entrepreneur and build resistance. I love the outcome.

"Alan's invested millions of pounds into business through this show and many of them are hugely successful and it changes the winner's life.

"They're turning over millions of pounds and they employ hundreds of people. It's a show with a real purpose – it's not a glittery ball you win."