Lord Alan Sugar is once again on the hunt for his next business partner as the new series of The Apprentice continues. The BBC show returned last month with a new group of candidates competing for the opportunity in various challenges. Two candidates have already been fired, with sixteen hopefuls currently still in the running on the new series. Amid the Apprentice's return, former contestant Rochelle Anthony has recalled her experience in the progress after being a finalist two series ago. She says business mogul Lord Sugar isn't all work and no play when it comes to the boardroom.
"The man is really funny! He's always cracking jokes and saying little things which breaks the ice in the boardroom. It makes you think, 'He's actually a real person' and it's really fun," says Rochelle,who narrowly lost out on the businessman's £250k investment back in 2023 when she was runner up to winner Marnie Swindells. Admitting Lord Sugar is always fair on his candidates, Rochelle continues, "He's really similar to what you see on TV. And there's so much to be learned from him, he wants you to do the best that you can do and is really trying to help. He's a really fair man and genuinely listens to you, he appreciates it when people are genuine and honest, which is what I did".
Since leaving the show, the hair salon owner, whose business has been booming since her time on the show, says she's exchanged 'a few emails' with Lord Sugar, and has even met up with his show confidant Tim Campbell, who she describes as a 'mentor'."I met Tim and his wife at the Reality TV Awards, which was really nice," says Rochelle. And confirming Karren Brady is just as hardcore as we see on the small screen, Rochelle says, "When Karren Brady's in the room, you're on your best behaviour. That woman has a huge presence. She really is Lord Sugar's eyes and ears and doesn't miss anything.
"I haven't seen her since the show really, but weirdly, she did follow me on Instagram and then unfollow me again the other day - I don't know why!" Was there a slip of the finger during a late night scrolling session, Karren?. The Apprentice continues on Thursday night from 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
"The man is really funny! He's always cracking jokes and saying little things which breaks the ice in the boardroom. It makes you think, 'He's actually a real person' and it's really fun," says Rochelle,. who narrowly lost out on the businessman's £250k investment back in 2023 when she was runner up to winner Marnie Swindells. Since leaving the show, the hair salon owner, whose business has been booming since her time on the show, says she's exchanged 'a few emails' with Lord Sugar, and has even met up with his show confidant Tim Campbell, who she describes as a 'mentor'.
