The Apprentice spoilers follow.
Former Apprentice winner Harpreet Kaur has sided with this series' first fired contestant and fellow "disruptor" Emma Browne.
On tonight's (January 5) You're Fired, the dessert parlour owner explained why she "could relate" to Emma, who was sent home in the 2023 premiere after she was accused of bickering during the task.
The 17th series kicked off with a challenge in the Caribbean islands, seeing the two teams trying to boost Antigua's tourism with a bespoke tour. The girls' team lost after the boys made more than twice their profit.
Related: The Apprentice star Claude Littner reveals he almost ditched Lord Sugar for rival show
Asked by host Tom Allen about whether Emma deserved to go, Harpreet offered her support to the senior account executive.
"I think I could relate to you, Emma, because in the first week on my season I was also accused of being disruptive and I nearly made the same mistake as you," last year's winner said.
"I can see where that was coming from. It was actually because you were so passionate and because you cared so much and you really, obviously wanted to win."
Harpreet continued: "Just in that situation, I think you potentially let your emotions get the better of you, because sometimes you have to save that for the boardroom."
Related: The Apprentice's Lord Sugar confirms future of the show beyond 2023
Emma admitted being "gutted" to leave the programme in week one, but was grateful for the opportunity.
"Should have kept my mouth shut, but I don't even do that at a game of Monopoly at the Christmas table," she joked.
You're Fired also offered Harpreet the chance to weigh in on her romance with fellow contestant Akshay Thakrar, who was in the audience.
"Since the show and the past few months, something has blossomed between us," she said, explaining "no flirting" went down while they were on the show.
"We were both really focused on the process. There was absolutely nothing going on at the house, and I think going through the process, coming out of it, we built a friendship and it kind of went from there."
The Apprentice airs on BBC One, with spin-off series You're Fired airing immediately afterwards on BBC Two.
