‘The Apprentice’ began Series number 12 pretty much as its begun every previous one - with a bunch of over-confident, aspirational business partners for Lord Sugar oozing self-aggrandisement, and then bumbling their way through a seemingly simple first task.
Person who won’t be remotely irritating throughout the rest of the series... Excitable Jessica Cunningham: “People think I’m the female version of Jim Carrey.” A somewhat subdued response from Karren Brady: “Take a breath.”
Something was a bit different this year, however, and for that we can probably credit Claude Littner’s second year in the role of sidekick to Lord Sugar, something he talked about yesterday.
Whereas Nick Hewer was content to stay quiet and pull faces when the stupidity in front of him required, Claude seemed far happier to put the boot in from the off - offering advice, but also very frank with his low opinion of the candidates’ poor efforts.
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The girls spent far too long chatting, and not enough time trading
BBC
Possibly because of this, Baroness Brady had also raised her game and chipped in on the chaps’ meagre efforts far more than previously. We heard a lot more from both of them, which only made the candidates’ efforts more embarrassing for the fact they couldn’t even take in-the-field advice.
Alas, their input didn’t prevent these two teams - ‘Titan’ and ‘Nebular’ no less - from chasing their own tails around central London in their efforts to shift a whole load of treasure and tat courtesy of Lord Sugar’s two lock-up garages.
Person with best qualification to manage an antiques project... “I’ve spent quite a few hours watching Bargain Hunt.” (Paul Sullivan)
As usual, there was no stunning expertise on show, the chaps’ team merely did slightly less atrociously and found themselves being taught the “world-famous” lindy-hop by vintage dance troupe Swing Patrol. What a treat!
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Team Nebular failed, which meant PM Michelle brought Rebecca and Alana to the boardroom
BBC
For the ladies, it was a trip to the losers’ cafe before Project Manager Michelle Niziol dragged Alana and Rebecca back with her to the boardroom, from where she was summarily dismissed with a wave of the Sugar finger.
Person least likely to be having dinner with Lord Sugar at episode’s end... ”The big K for friends and fans, but you can call me K.” (Karthik Nagesan)
Arguably the moment her fate was sealed was when she announced “I’m definitely the strongest of all the girls”. However, “I’m going with Camden, Camden was my instinct right from the start” was probably the knock-out punch.
Spotted a winner yet? Check out all the candidates in our gallery below.
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Michelle found herself in the unfavourable position of being the first candidate to leave the series
BBC
Who do you think has what it takes to win this year’s Apprentice? Check out the candidates below...
'The Apprentice' 2016 Contestants
Oliver Nohl-Oser(01 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Rebecca Jeffrey(02 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Samuel Boateng(03 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Grainne McCoy(04 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Courtney Wood(05 of18)
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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'.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Aleksandra King(06 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Jessica Cunningham(07 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
JD O'Brien(08 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Dillon St. Paul(09 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Karthik Nagesan(10 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Sofiane Khelfa(11 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Natalie Hughes(12 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Paul Sullivan(13 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Michelle Niziol(14 of18)
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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.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Frances Bishop(15 of18)
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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’.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Mukai Noiri(16 of18)
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Age: 36 Profession: Digital marketing manager
In his own words: "I feel sorry for Lord Sugar, past contestants have been weak." (credit:BBCBoundless)
Alana Spencer(17 of18)
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Age: 24 Profession: Cake company owner
In her own words: “I'll stop at nothing to get what I want.” (credit:BBCBoundless)
Trishna Thakrar(18 of18)
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Age: 28 Profession: Recruiter
In her own words: “My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win.” (credit:BBCBoundless)