Egg-citing times on The Apprentice as the candidates were tasked with creating an Easter treat this week.
But the process wasn’t all it was cracked up to be for one.
Thirteen of the original 18 keen contestants on the BBC One show now remain after one walked away before Lord Sugar could fire them.
The budding entrepreneurs were on the factory floor with a seasonal challenge on Thursday’s episode.
For some there was the sweet taste of success, while others were left to pick up the pieces.
All was carried out under the watchful eyes of West Ham vice-chair Baroness Karren Brady and former The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell, who report back to Lord Sugar.
Back in the boardroom, the 77-year-old self-made billionaire usually decides who goes home each week and who remains in with a chance of becoming the next apprentice, winning his mentorship and £250,000 investment.
However, this week was a little different.
This is the 19th series of The Apprentice and already plans are under way for a 20th, with Lord Sugar inviting people to apply for next year.
Here’s how week five of this year’s show panned out.
Week five saw the teams tasked with creating and branding a new chocolate Easter egg to sell to industry buyers.
Dr Denzel led one team crafting Easter eggs for children, while the other team made luxury mild Matcha eggs.
Lord Sugar said the children’s egg “looked like the coronavirus”.
Before the results could be revealed in the boardroom later, Dr Jana announced he had decided to leave the show.
After Dr Denzel had walked away, the results were made public showing his team had lost by a “huge margin”, according to Brady.
Both teams were then sent back to the house, with Lord Sugar saying he would have “lost credibility” if he’d fired another candidate as he felt Dr Denzel had been responsible for the team’s failure.
The Sun revealed Dr Denzel had been spoken to after the show about an “ill-informed” remark he made about a character during a task and that production staff had told him his “use of language was not acceptable”.
A spokesperson for The Apprentice The i Paper: “We were made aware of an ill-informed comment made by Jana during the process and action was taken.
“Whilst we have made it very clear to Jana that his use of language was not acceptable, we are confident there was no ill-intent behind it and the concerns of all parties involved have been addressed and resolved.
“Jana withdrew from the process for completely unrelated and separate reasons, and he has our full support.”
Dr Jana Denzel has left The Apprentice, walking out of the boardroom before Lord Sugar could begin the firing process.
The Harley Street cosmetic dentist said: “Sorry Lord Sugar, I just wanted to say as well, I’m proud of everyone’s contribution towards this.
“I know how much some people want it but I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not sure if I want it as bad as them so I think whether we win or lose, I would like to step away from the process.”
Asked by the business tycoon if he was sure about his decision, he said he was.
Lord Sugar said: It’s been a pleasure having you here … you seem like a stand-up fellow, I wish you well.”
After the show, the son of Sri Lankan refugees who has a BSc in Biology with Psychology, a degree in Dentistry, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, added: “I had an incredible experience on the show, but after much deliberation, I realised it wasn’t the right path for me.”
He said he wanted to get back to his family and his own business.
Nadia Suliaman led her potato team to a crushing defeat in week four and found herself back in the boardroom.
The Swansea-born hair salon chain owner was swiftly dismissed by Lord Sugar, without much room for debate.
He said: “Nadia, we can’t find any other reason for the failure of this task other than your decision that you made for bangers and mash.
“It’s as simple as that.
“The amount of money paid for sausages, 500-odd pounds, really killed this task.
“So Nadia, you’ve left me nowhere to go unfortunately, you’re fired.”
Defending her corner after the firing, she said: “Lord Sugar has missed out on an absolute massive opportunity with me.
“There’s no reason why I should have been fired, I think it’s really unfair.”
Carlo Brancati found himself in the firing line on The Apprentice in week three.
He clashed with team leader Max over the purchase of concave shoes and the peacock quill.
And he was blamed for two of the three fines the team incurred, which led to them losing the challenge.
So it was no surprise he was one of those picked by Max to head to the boardroom, along with Liam.
Lord Sugar said: “Carlo, you’re a disruptor, as far as I’m concerned.
“When I’ve been getting a few messages from people about you, it’s difficult to ignore … I’m really torn.
He added: ‘This is difficult for me and I just have to go from a gut feeling about how far you can get in this process.
“My gut feeling tells me that, Carlo, you’re fired.”
Reflecting after his dismissal, the hair transplant consultant from Middlesbrough said: “I believe there’s no mistakes in life, there’s only lessons learned.
“I’m going to take those lessons I have learned and push forward.
“This is not the last you’re going to see of Carlo Brancati.”
Irish beauty salon owner Aoibheann Walsh had wanted Lord Sugar to invest in her patented utility belt for hairdressers, make-up artists, and costume designers on the go.
But she faced the music in the boardroom after the week two task, where she decided to embellish the track with AI-enhanced vocals.
The business tycoon said: “Aoibheann, one of the big mistakes being made here was digitising the voice which put a lot of people off.
“On balance, Aoibheann, I don’t think in the last two tasks I’ve actually heard much from you or seen you do much.
“So, I’m sorry to say, Aoibheann, you’re fired.”
Reflecting afterwards, the County Donegal business owner said: “I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t really get the opportunity to shine.
“I do wish I did speak out a little more and if I did, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
Emma Rothwell had the ignominy of becoming the first candidate to be booted off the show, after being one of the sales reps in the losing team.
Lancashire-born Emma, now based in Essex, had hoped to win Lord Sugar’s investment for her online gift business which she started during lockdown in her boyfriend’s garage.
But during her time in Innsbruck, she failed to sell any tickets for an e-bike tour of the forest.
And back in the boardroom, Lord Sugar was damning in his appraisal of her.
He said: “Emma, you haven’t sold any tickets, and you haven’t explained to me what in fact you did do.
“It’s difficult but my gut feeling is telling me, Emma, it is with regret, you’re fired.”
After making her exit, Emma told the cameras the magnate had made a “big mistake” by firing her and she had learnt to “fight more in the boardroom” in future.
After Dr Denzel, Nadia, Emma, Aoibhean and Carlo’s dismissal from the show by Lord Sugar, it means there are now 13 candidates left in the running to be the next apprentice.
But only one can make it through the next eight weeks of tasks and boardroom battles to win the business tycoon’s £250,000 investment and mentorship.
Week six will see the teams jet off to Turkey, where they must put on corporate away-day experiences for two clients expecting the best.
Will it be a thrilling experience all round or boring in Bodrum and chaotic in Cappadocia?
Next Thursday’s episode will reveal all.
Here are the contestants still left and hoping to win:
Comments
Leave a Comment