Age discrimination legislation is being given a new spin by failed Apprentice USA contestant Richard Hewett. Hewett, 49, is suing real estate billionaire Donald Trump, 60, claiming that the businessman discriminated against him because of his age.

He alleges that only two of the show’s finalists in six series have been over 40 and that its producers have violated age discrimination laws. Hewett, who is seeking unspecified damages, said: “People watching it get the impression that if you want to work for a big organisation like the Trump Organisation you have to be young.”

However, Trump argues: “We have had very few people over a certain age apply to be on the show. If they did and we liked them, we’d love to cast them.” How long before the word ‘apprentice’ is banned on the grounds it encourages discrimination?