The latest boardroom battle on The Apprentice ended in an awkward hug that viewers declared the most cringeworthy in the show’s history.
Fans of the BBC series were gripped as Siobhan Smith and Elizabeth McKenna locked horns over a corporate hospitality task in front of Lord Sugar.
Smith ended up receiving her marching orders and was stood looking dismayed in the lobby when McKenna left the boardroom.
Viewers were in stitches as McKenna approached with her arms outstretched, clearly going in for a hug, and Smith tried to fob her off with a handshake.
Awkward doesn’t do this justice. #TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/v19eCn3po3
— The Apprentice (@bbcapprentice) October 25, 2017
Many posted messages on social media saying how uncomfortable the whole scene was.
“OMG SAVAGE. The handshake. The hug. I’m shaking,” one person wrote on Twitter.
OMG SAVAGE. The handshake. The hug. I'm shaking #TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/VVZxpPPLGI
— Ryan JL (@RyanJL) October 25, 2017
“Well that was the most awkward hug in the #apprentice history between Siobhan and Elizabeth!” another said.
Well that was the most awkward hug in the #apprentice history between Siobhan and Elizabeth!
— kaphc (@kaphc) October 25, 2017
“I’ve not seen a more awkward hug between two people since Voldemort and Draco Malfoy,” said another.
I’ve not seen a more awkward hug between two people since Voldemort and Draco Malfoy #TheApprentice #harrypotter
— Kate Rogers (@badnewsrogers) October 25, 2017
Some joked that they could barely watch as Smith tried to brush off McKenna’s gesture.
“That hug was painful to watch,” tweeted one person.
#TheApprentice THAT HUG WAS PAINFUL TO WATCH
— abi (@winterbky) October 25, 2017
Me during that handshake/hug/diss #TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/S335XwS6JX
— Olivia Wheeler (@OliviaGWheeler) October 25, 2017
Others shared hilarious video clips and memes about the clumsy exchange.
First time round I thought it was an air hug, but in slo-mo it's actually a handshake/hug clash – brilliant! #TheApprentice #yourefired pic.twitter.com/6J1opjOUSV
— Jonathan Simms (@JonathanSSimms) October 25, 2017
It's Elizabeth vs Siobhan the rematch! @bbcapprentice #apprentice pic.twitter.com/2sOrlpcfmI
— Louisa Baldwin (@louisa_baldwin) October 25, 2017
The awkward hug between Siobhan and Elizabeth #TheApprentice #awkward pic.twitter.com/k0lTvNzT8H
— Hannah Montana (@spottydotty102) October 25, 2017
Did you miss Siobhan and Elizabeth’s hug? #TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/rC4N6JO19a
— Samantha-Jane Amor (@Veev_) October 25, 2017
Should of done this move #TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/Th7MOwUndk
— adrian kool (@koolada) October 25, 2017
But while there were plenty of jokes, some people watching took a sterner view, saying that giving a fellow candidate the brush-off was “unprofessional” and “rude”.
:: The Apprentice returns next Wednesday at 9pm.