Lord Sugar has taken a lot of heat from ‘Apprentice’ viewers after axing contestant Jackie Fast for being too successful in the corporate world.
After the shopping network challenge on Wednesday night, Lord Sugar delivered the first double-elimination of the series, letting project manager Tom Bunday go on the spot, before also firing Jackie.
He told her: “Jackie, I have no qualms about you being able to run a business. You’ve done it before. My only concern is whether I would enjoy it, because what I do enjoy is the acorn-to-oak-tree scenario.”
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Jackie in the boardroom
ITV
With Khadija and Camilla also in the firing line, he told the three candidates: “I have to make a decision based on who has the potential of being a business partner of mine… And I like my acorns-to-oak-tree, and I think you’re already a semi-oak tree… so it is with regret, Jackie, you’re fired.”
After Jackie’s elimination - which Lord Sugar also put down to the fired candidate’s forceful nature - he told the surviving pair: “You [have] small businesses, which is what I like.”
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Lord Sugar
BBC
However, after Lord Sugar decided to show Jackie the door, some viewers took issue with reasoning, suggesting that it was a rather odd decision to axe someone from a business-related show for being… too good at business:
Discussing Lord Sugar’s reasoning, Jackie later told Irish News: “It’s a great way to go. It’s a fair firing, you need to look to what Lord Sugar wants to do with business. He wants the process of making small businesses grow. It sucks, definitely. But I had nothing to prove.”
‘The Apprentice’ continues on Wednesday 5 December at 9pm on BBC One.
Meet The 'Apprentice' 2018 Candidates
Sarah Ann Magson(01 of16)
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Age: 37 Occupation: Solicitor She says: "I am used to laying down the law in the courtroom, but now I’m going to lay down the law in the boardroom" (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Alex Finn(02 of16)
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Age: 21 Occupation: IT ananlyst He says: "I know everything. Call me 'Google', it's my middle name." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Sabrina Stocker(03 of16)
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Age: 22 Occupation: Owner of a tennis events company She says: "I am a mix of Willy Wonka drinking an espresso martini… classy and sophisticated on the outside; inside, a little bit crazy and wacky but full of brilliant ideas.” (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
David Alden(04 of16)
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Age: 32 Occupation: Tax advisor He says: "My friends and family call me the Duracell bunny as I take on so much and never stop. I just keep going." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Kayode Damali(05 of16)
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Age: 26 Occupation: Professional speaker He says: "I’m not here to razzle dazzle and hit you with buzzwords…anyone can say those things and I’m not anyone, I’m Kayode Damali. If you’re not your own biggest fan, who do you expect to be it for you?" (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Sian Gabbidon(06 of16)
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Age: 25 Occupation: Swimwear company owner She says: "I bring both the passion and the fire - in the boardroom, I will be merciless." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Tom Bunday(07 of16)
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Age: 28 Occupation: Tree surgery firm owner He says: “There are very few people that can genuinely say they’re going to make it - but I know that I’m going to.” (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Khadija Kalifa(08 of16)
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Age: 28 Occupation: Eco-cleaning company owner She says: "I’m a serious Mumpreneur who doesn’t have time for time-wasters and idiocy." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Daniel Elahi(09 of16)
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Age: 28 Occupation: Lifestyle brand owner He says he's like Jordan Belfort from 'Wolf Of Wall Street' because of his "entrepreneurial skills" and "lavish, party lifestyle" (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Jackie Fast(10 of16)
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Age: 34 Occupation: Sponsorship consultant She says: "I'm a trailblazer... I'm not intimidated by anyone or anything." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Kurran Pooni(11 of16)
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Age: 22 Occupation: Law graduate He says: "I don’t eat, sleep, breathe business but I do eat, sleep and breathe success." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Camilla Ainsworth(12 of16)
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Age: 22 Occupation: Nut milk brand owner She says: "I ain’t no Vanilla Camilla." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Rick Monk(13 of16)
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Age: 33 Occupation: Quality controller He says: "I won't pussyfoot and waste time. People will have to like it or lump it." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Sarah Byrne(14 of16)
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Age: 29 Occupation: Children's acting academy owner She says: "I am me, I don’t have a posh accent or pretend to be anyone else. My personality sells me, my passion to succeed and work ethic. (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Frank Brooks(15 of16)
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Age: 27 Occupation: Senior marketing manager He says: “There's no need to watch your back when I'm already two steps in front.” (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
Jasmine Kundra(16 of16)
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Age: 34 Occupation: Learning and development manager She says: "All is fair in love and war…and business is war." (credit:BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)