Michael Apted just seems to love to pick on Tony for some reason

Tony is a good one to pick on, what's wrong with that?

TxMike
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

I don't see it now, maybe earlier on.

I really pegged him to having a harder time with life. It was really sad when he wanted to become a jockey and it didn't pan out. Then he ended up cheating on his wife. I'm really happy that the marriage is doing well and he even has a vacation house.

He seems to have taken his oppurtunities in life and having fun. The recession didn't seem to hit him as hard as others. I look forward to seeing his part and Bruce's.

Early on in the series, Apted was sure that Tony was going to end up in a life of crime. So, I think during 21, he filmed a lot of scenes in rough neighborhoods, expecting to be able to use the footage later on. But, of course, Tony didn't end up that way.
I never got the impression that he has 'picked on Tony' since then. He asks tough questions of everyone, as it seems appropriate and interesting.

Maybe Apted seems to resent the fact that Tony, despite his background, has done well materially and emotionally. Tony certainly doesn't seem to conform to the image of the poor Eastender, blaming everyone for his life. I loved Tony in the early programmes. He seemed such an upbeat character. He made me laugh out loud in the first of the series (7 Up) when he imitated the posh voices of some of the other participants.

One more thing: another post asks where Tony seems to have got his money from. As well as working hard, I believe he used to appear in bit parts (usually as a cab driver) in programmes like "The Bill".

Good luck to Tony. He seems to have sorted his life out.