The Apprentice’s Lottie Lion apologises after impersonating fellow candidate in ‘racist’ Instagram video

Lion says she meant it as ‘light entertainment for fans during these difficult times’

The Apprentice‘s Lottie Lion has apologised after impersonating Venezuela-born candidate Jemelin Artigas in a new video.

Lion was participating in an Instagram Live conversation with friend and fellow contestant Ryan-Mark Parsons when the pair began impersonating people they had appeared on the BBC show alongside, including Thomas Skinner and Marianne Rawlins.

However, Artigas took exception when Lion repeatedly mimicked her accent, writing: “Imitating someone’s accent while bluntly mocking them is racist. If you did it between friends as a joke and for a laugh, definitely not, but to mock them and take the p*** of their story when they are not there is.”

Lion, who suggested she was making the comments because she had drunk too much red wine, pretended to be Artigas while saying things she had said on the show when it aired in 2019.

“18 years ago I moved to this country,” Lion said in Artigas’ voice, adding: ”I didn’t even speak the language – all I did was clean toilets.”

In her apology, Lion told Metro.co.uk: “Myself and Ryan Mark did impressions of six candidates on The Apprentice last night during our Insta Live. I’m aware that one person took offence to this and I can only apologise.

“This was not my intention and it was only meant to be some light entertainment for my fans during these difficult times.”

Parsons also apologised on Twitter, adding: “I wanted to issue an apology to @JemelinArtigas. It’s clear she has been affected by Lottie’s impersonation and my laughter. Our intention of the Instagram live was not to upset anyone; we enjoyed dancing, singing and answering your questions to bring smiles to our followers.

“It’s important to take accountability when people are hurt by words or actions. I have already spoken to Jemelin privately.”

Lottie Lion appeared on the 2019 series of ‘The Apprentice’ (BBC)

Artigas accepted Parsons’s apology, but said she is yet to hear from Lion.

This year’s series of The Apprentice looks set to be delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.