'The Apprentice Winner Is Alana Spencer, Beating Courtney Wood To £250,000 Investment

It's been a long 12 weeks.
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’The Apprentice’ winner of 2016 has been named, as Alana Spencer. 

With her Welsh luxury cake business, Alana has won a £250,000 investment and the chance to go into business with Lord Sugar. 

In Sunday evening’s series finale, both Alana and Courtney had to pitch their ideas to 250 industry experts, as well as Lord Sugar and his two advisors Karren Brady and Claude Littner.

Over the past 12 weeks, both Courtney and Alana had their fine moments, but also came unstuck - Alana with some early tears, and Courtney being slammed for his lack of charisma when it came to pitching any product. 

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Alana won the series, but Lord Sugar was obviously moved by the similarity between his early career and Courtney's aspirations - "he's a good lad"
BBC

The final episode found both candidates being informed by Lord Sugar that their final task was to launch their business to create a brand and unveil their campaign, in front of a packed audience of industry experts at London’s City Hall. 

As they set straight to work, Alana and Courtney both suffered setbacks with their chosen teams of helpers. While Alana was forced to make a last-minute change to her product’s brand, Courtney had to use some valuable hours of his preparation time with a RADA expert in being trained to pitch better. 

Do you think the right person won? Let us know below...

Oliver Nohl-Oser
BBCBoundless
Age: 33
Profession: Owner of a food distribution business

In his own words: “Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit.”
Rebecca Jeffrey
BBCBoundless
Age: 31
Profession: Owner of a design and marketing business

In her own words: “I’m proof that you can get things done without whinging.”
Samuel Boateng
BBCBoundless
Age: 27
Profession: Sales manager

In his own words: “My creativity, my passion, my charm, and my likeability all roll into one, creating one perfect guy.”
Grainne McCoy
BBCBoundless
Age: 31
Profession: Make-up studio owner

In her own words: “I need guidance and a little bit of mentoring to help me make that first million.”
Courtney Wood
BBCBoundless
Age: 29
Profession: Owner of a novelty gift company

In his own words: “How would I describe myself in one sentence? I'll give you one word: 'awesome'.”
Aleksandra King
BBCBoundless
Age: 38
Profession: Owner of a business consultancy firm

In her own words: “Like the Tasmanian devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win.”
Jessica Cunningham
BBCBoundless
Age: 29
Profession: Online fashion entrepreneur

In her own words: “A motto I live by is: there is no competition if you're already winning.”
JD O'Brien
BBCBoundless
Age: 37
Owner: Beachwear company

In his own words: “I won’t suffer fools. I will get upset by other candidates who don’t know their arse from their elbow.”
Dillon St. Paul
BBCBoundless
Age: 37
Profession: Art director at a fashion magazine

In his own words: “Sometimes batting the eyelashes can get you a lot in business. Hence, the mascara comes in handy – so they can see those lashes.”
Karthik Nagesan
BBCBoundless
Age: 33
Profession: Owner of IT consultancy company

In his own words: “If I wanted to be like everyone else, I’d have waxed my monobrow.”
Sofiane Khelfa
BBCBoundless
Age: 32
Profession: Senior sales executive

In his own words: “The best survivors in the world are the people who adapt, and I’m the best at adapting. I’m like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime.”
Natalie Hughes
BBCBoundless
Age: 30
Profession: Hair and beauty salon owner

In her own words: “I started at a young age, I'm a hustler, I've got the hustler’s ambition.”
Paul Sullivan
BBCBoundless
Age: 38
Profession: Owner of a marketing agency

In his own words: “I'll play the team when I need to be part of the team, but I'm here to win; I'm not here to make up the numbers.”
Michelle Niziol
BBCBoundless
Age: 35
Profession: Owner of a property consultancy company

In her own words: “I work 15 to 17 hours every day. 100 per cent, I'm a workaholic.”
Frances Bishop
BBCBoundless
Age: 25
Profession: Owner of a children's clothes company

In her own words: “I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule ‘kill them with kindness’.”
Mukai Noiri
BBCBoundless
Age: 36
Profession: Digital marketing manager

In his own words: "I feel sorry for Lord Sugar, past contestants have been weak."
Alana Spencer
BBCBoundless
Age: 24
Profession: Cake company owner

In her own words: “I'll stop at nothing to get what I want.”
Trishna Thakrar
BBCBoundless
Age: 28
Profession: Recruiter

In her own words: “My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win.”