The Apprentice star Reece Donnelly’s brother is currently serving a life sentence behind bars after stabbing a man to death in Glasgow.
Drama school boss Reece is one of the candidates hoping to become Lord Alan Sugar’s next business partner.
He made his TV debut last night as the hit BBC One show returned for a new series.
READ MORE: The Apprentice’s fans hail Karren Brady ‘stunning’ in gorgeous beach ensemble
In 2016, Reece’s brother Nico Donnelly was jailed for life for stabbing 21-year-old Jamie Johnstone in Sandyhills.
According to Daily Record, Donnelly has reportedly had extra time added to his sentence for violent behaviour inside the prison.
(Image: BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston)
The TV star told the publication that he “didn’t know” his brother and that he sends his “heartfelt condolences” to Jamie’s family.
He said: “I do not know this family member in question. I was only recently made aware of this news. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families affected.”
A source close to Rhys added that the brothers were “never close” and as they grew older their lives were “poles apart”.
(Image: Nico Donnelly)
Donnelly was found guilty in December 2016 at Glasgow’s High Court of murder.
He stabbed Jamie twice in the chest in the previous January.
Donnelly tried to claim he acted in self-defence and that the knife accidentally hit the victim twice as he tried to shield himself.
Lord Beckett, who sentenced Donnelly to life and ordered him to serve at least 20 years behind bars, said at the time: “As a result of your inexcusable violence, Mr Johnstone has lost his life at the age of only 21 and his family has lost him forever.”
(Image: BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston)
Away from the boardroom, Reece has been acting since he was six. He appeared in BBC drama Waterloo Road and has done voiceovers for Nickelodeon.
In 2017, he founded the Theatre School of Scotland and Theatre College of Scotland, becoming the youngest college owner in the UK.
Since then, many of his students have landed roles in Disney, Netflix, BBC, CBeebies and CBBC shows.
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He appeared in Britain’s Got Talent at the age of 15 and went on to graduate in drama from Sunderland University.
When he was 20, he set up the theatre school in Glasgow city centre and in 2018 he was a finalist in the Sunday Mail’s prestigious Young Scot Awards.
Before appearing on the show, Reece said he wants to prove that “Scotland is filled with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and that we are not, in fact, a haggis-eating, kilt-wearing nation”.
The Apprentice continues Thursday nights on BBC One at 9pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
