08 February 2024 , 21:57
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Lord Alan Sugar has fired a second contestant from The Apprentice after a tense episode.
The popular reality series returned for its 18th series last Thursday as Lord Sugar welcomed fresh contenders into the boardroom for the first time. In the first episode, the 18 contestants were split into teams of boys and girls as they battled it out to secure Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment. They were sent to the Scottish Highlands and tasked with putting on high-end away days for corporate clients.
During the second episode, the contestants were told to meet Lord Sugar at the Royal Exchange in central London. Upon arriving at the building, the contestants were tasked with manufacturing mini cheesecakes to sell to the public. Each team were also given a corporate client who was looking to place a bespoke order.
The boys' team, who spent more on ingredients and made less in sales, lost once again and Lord Sugar was faced with Paul Bowen, Asif and Phil in the bottom three. Although Lord Sugar told Paul he "admired" him for admitting his mistakes in the task, he decided he had to go.
Paul (middle) was fired from The Apprentice (Freemantle Media Ltd)The Lancashire-based candidate, who was chosen as sub-team leader, kept "banging on about chocolate" to the health-conscious client. He was sent along to pitch the decadent chocolate cheesecake to the drinks maker Innocent, who sell fruit and vegetable-based smoothies and juices.
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Paul was convinced their meeting went well but Jack Davies told him it was an "absolute car crash". Jack was also disappointed the price point fell from £9 per unit to £6.50, which soon dropped further due to a few mishaps. As Paul didn't pat down the biscuit base of the cheesecake, the presentation didn't come out perfectly.
"Too much joking, too much admitting mistakes, like a bull in a china shop," Lord Sugar said in the boardroom. "Paul, I admire you for admitting your mistakes but there were simply too many mistakes and so it is with regret, Paul, you’re fired."
Paul admitted to making mistakes (Freemantle Media Ltd)The business director, who was one of two pie company experts during the process this year, was hoping to secure Lord Sugar's investment for his experience and knowledge to grow his pie empire. The fired candidate admitted he struggled with the adjustment from the business world he knows and The Apprentice process.
Meanwhile, Oliver Medforth, 27, was the first person to get fired on this series of the programme.
Tim Campbell was sent to watch over the male team during the first task. They were made to put on high-end away days for corporate clients. Tim was left horrified as the boys served water as a welcome drink instead of an alcoholic one. Yet in the end, it was the girls' team who managed to impress, leaving the boys at risk of being fired after they made a huge loss of minus £500.
Virdi Singh Mazaria was the project manager and called back Oliver Medforth and Steve Darken. They all tried to fight to keep their place in the competition, however Lord Sugar had enough and delivered his verdict. He decided to keep Steve in the competition and said: "It is difficult, Virdi it is quite regretful that we lost money. It's a tough one but Olly I am sorry to say mate but you are fired."
The Apprentice airs on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One*