Alan Sugar Reveals Entrants for The Apprentice 5
Fifteen People to Face the Firing Line on the BBC’s Reality Show
Mar 18, 2009
As the fifth series of BBC’s The Apprentice comes back to the screens in March 2009, the BBC has revealed the new line-up of 15 cocky young contenders wanting to follow in the footsteps of last year’s shock winner Lee “That’s what I’m talking about” McQueen and work for Alan Sugar. If the figures don’t add up for this year it’s because one candidate - based on the numbers a man - bailed out on the eve of the first boardroom briefing as the pressure was too much.
But that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise as Sir Alan, no stranger to speaking his mind, immediately sets out his standards in trademark blunt fashion: "I don't care where you're from or what your last job was. You think you can second guess or play me? Well let me tell you, I'm as hard to play as a Stradivarius. I'm going to find out if you're the real deal or just a bunch of empty designer suits and dresses."
The Girl’s Team on The Apprentice Series Five
- Anita Shah, 35, Business Strategist from Birmingham, is a qualified lawyer and self-confessed perfectionist inspired by Dragon Den’s James Caan for believing that you can be successful by being nice to people.
- Debra Barr, 24-year-old Senior Sales Consultant from Surrey was awarded "mouth of the year" at her office Christmas party and had to fight illiteracy in her youth.
- Licensing Development Manager Kate Walsh, 27, from Hampshire, describes herself as resilient with an ability to develop business relationships at all levels and respects the outspoken attitude of Sex And The City's Samantha.
- Kimberly Davis, 33, Marketing Consultant, based in London, is originally from New York and is an accomplished musician, as well as successful businesswoman, who played in Disneyland's Electric Light Parade as a child.
- Kent-based Accounts Manager Lorraine Tighe, 36, left school at 16 but has gone on to be the top sales person in every company she has ever worked in and admires Victoria Beckham for being successful when doubted for having "not much talent".
- Mona Lewis, 28, Senior Financial Manager, was born in Karachi sees herself as honest in business and believes that personal emotions should never interfere with decision making.
- Paula Jones, a 29-year-old Human Resource Consultant from Walsall, was a four-star sergeant in the army cadets at the age of 18 and represented the army at county level in shooting.
- London Restaurateur Yasmina Siadatan, 27, spent time living in Los Angeles and Iran before settling down South. She admires Sir Richard Branson's attitude to personal service and would love to have been the brains behind Microsoft.
The Boy’s Team on The Apprentice Series Five
- Ben Clarke, 22, Trainee Stockbroker from Belfast, is a stockbroker who considers himself to be ruthless and money-obsessed, admits to being "cocky" but insists that he takes business very seriously.
- Howard Ebison, 24-year-old Retail Business Manager from Derby, believes that people enjoy working for him. Previous jobs include a paper round he got sacked from and a fish and chip shop shift he hated.
- Surrey-based Senior Commercial Manager James McQuillan, 32, is a sports fanatic and former child chess champion. He is inspired by people with passion and cites Al Pacino and JK Rowling as his inspirational figures.
- Majid Nagra, 28, Business Development Manager, from Coventry, sees himself as loyal with the belief that business is the backbone to the world. He was expelled from school for bad behaviour but now works with youth centres and charities in his spare time.
- Rochdale Science Teacher Noorul Choudhury, 33, aims to one day start up a men's tailoring company and describes himself as a straight-talking leader who views business as a “cut-throat, dog-eat-dog game”.
- Phillip Taylor, 29, an Estate Agent from County Durham, is a self-confessed control freak but considers himself to be a nice guy who people can relate to. He believes that you should make friends but make money while doing it.
- Rocky Andrews, a 21-year-old Sandwich Chain Owner from North Yorkshire, already earns more than the salary on offer from Sir Alan. He left school at 16 to pursue a career in football with Middlesbrough United but had to quit after he was diagnosed with arthritis.
New Contenders for Alan Sugar's Prize in the Midst of Economic Crisis
In the midst of tough economic conditions and increasing unemployment rates where everyone is feeling the credit crunch the competition should be a lot tougher. Some of the challenges waiting for the future celebrity reality TV stars include opening a catering service for busy professionals, rebranding a British seaside resort to attract more tourists and inventing, designing and eventually marketing a new piece of gym equipment. The teams will as ever be watched over by eagle eye advisers Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford.
The series accompaniment, You're Fired!, is also returning on BBC Two and hosted once again by chubby school boy lookalike Adrian Chiles who interviews each week's losing candidate about their time on the show along with interjections from business experts.
Of course it would be fitting to end this article with the line - one job, 15 candidates, Sir Alan's search for his Apprentice is about to begin – but that is just cheap and uninspired. Oh well.
Series 5 of The Apprentice will air on BBC One at 9pm every Wednesday and You're Fired! follows on BBC Two at 10pm.
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