Viewers of last night’s ‘The Apprentice’ were left wondering exactly how Jessica Cunningham was still in the boardroom and her team-mate Natalie Hughes was fired, after what was possibly the weakest performance in the show’s history.
For the second week’s task, both teams had been required to devise and manage an advertising campaign for a pair of jeans, something that sent Nebular team leader into an epic meltdown on day one, with Karren Brady having to step in and advise her to step outside, collect herself - while her teammates plotted how best to ignore her instructions.
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Jessica Cunningham somehow stayed in the competition, despite losing control of herself and her team during the advertising campaign task
BBC
Neither Nebular nor the boys’ team Titan were at remotely organised - the girls forgetting the jeans, the boys failing to deliver an interactive ad - and in a shock first for the show, Lord Sugar decided that neither team had actually won the task. A pity as this was his favourite week, as he kept reminding us.
He called both teams “not so much Mad Men, more demented dimwits” and sent them both home without a treat in sight.
He ranted: “I am not putting my name to either of those advertising campaigns. They’re useless, both totally, absolutely useless. I feel so angry that not one of you geniuses came through and ran this thing properly.
“There’s no winner here. It’s never happened before on this particular task.”
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Karren Brady had to step in and help Jessica compose herself during a fraught few minutes
BBC
This meant someone from both teams was in the firing line, with Karthik looking particularly vulnerable after falling out happily with everyone, including his team-mates Mukai and JD, and with Lord Sugar who termed him “a loose cannon”.
Somehow, Jessica - despite having to be reminded to “take a breath” again by Karren - lived to see another day, perhaps because she breathlessly told Lord Sugar she wanted to be his business partner “more than anybody else”.
Instead, it was Natalie Hughes who got the wrong end of his firing finger, for basically not doing very much, good or bad.
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In the end, it was Natalie who went home - but it could have been anybody
BBC
Lord Sugar told her:
“For a potential business partner of mine, Natalie, you’ve been a bit quiet, you’ve not been pushing yourself forward. It is regretful that this is only the second week but Natalie, you’re fired.”
The lesson other candidates can take away from Natalie’s exit over that of either Jessica or Karthik? It doesn’t matter what you say to your colleagues or in the boardroom, as long as you say SOMETHING. If that’s the criteria, then we have two of our final candidates already. Watch this space.
'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)