The Apprentice UK - Episode Eleven

This was the interview episode.

Lucinda Ledgerwood got fired - because she was "too zany" for Sir Alan. Fair enough. She's clearly very talented, especially when she's in charge, and she's decent, but she is definitely not your stereotype businesswoman. And you could see how she would drive Sir Alan mad if she worked with him.

The interviews were eye-opening. Alex came across as dull - but when drilled down showed he had entrepreneurial instincts. Helene seemed to talk mainly about her childhood as the daughter of two alcoholics.

And poor Lee came a cropper - CV full of spelling mistakes and a fib about his higher education. Oh Lee! Why didn't you get a friend to proof-read for you? And why fib on the CV? I can only surmise that when he sent the CV in, he was one of 10,000 hopefuls and he didn't actually think he'd make it this far.

Sir Alan didn't fire him - which was generous. In fact apart from Lucinda, he couldn't make up his mind about the other four. I thought Helene should have gone. She's been weak throughout the contest and was weak in the interview.

I originally thought Lee might win the task. I now think it's between Claire and Alex. Sir Alan clearly has a soft spot for Claire - but in the past he's passed over all the loud-mouth candidates - The Badger, Saira etc. When he actually hires he goes for someone with the opposite personality type to himself. Therefore I think Alex might win this.

The "You're Fired" follow-up program was great. Lucinda was wearing a beautiful dress and they had a comedian on who was actually coming up with some great one-liners as the show progressed. If you missed it all, you can view it on the BBC iPlayer (link in the sidebar).