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'Rough diamond' Lee McQueen has snatched Apprentice victory from Claire Young after what felt like the closest boardroom showdown in the programme's history.
We were disappointed that gutsy Claire didn't triumph as she once again proved herself to be a great team leader during the final task and she also helped to carry Lee through the difficult presentation and very tough Q&A section.
In the end, it seemed that Sir Alan felt that Lee was 'more convincing' in his determination to win the job and perhaps he sees Lee as the sort of chap who he can mould to fit into his organisation. Could anyone really mould Claire?
Although Claire managed to keep her mouth shut in the later stages of the series, perhaps Sir Alan just wasn't willing to take a chance on her in case the brash 'rottweiler' we saw in the early tasks returned. Also, we have an inkling that Lee needed to win the series more than Claire - we have a feeling that she will rise to the top without Sir Alan's help.
As for the final task, both teams' performances were pretty poor. Claire and Lee's winning Roulette fragrance 'for real men' was straight out of the 70s (they should just have called it Brut and had done with it). Meanwhile, the only innovative thing about Alex and Helene's fragrance was the bottle - and that was the designer's idea. We would have been interested to see the bottle they had come up with if they had gone along with the name Helene suggested for the fragrance - Girth.
Our highlights from the final episode were the return of the unintentionallly hilarious Kevn (someone give him his own series) and, of course, the long awaited and long overdue sacking of Alex. Hooray!
What did you think of the final? Would you have bought either team's fragrance? Did Lee deserve to win? Was Claire robbed? Let us know what you think...
Plus, watch interviews with some of the most memorable candidates:
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User comments
Lee deserved to win he wanted it more than clair i think
Posted by: christine.allum2 on Thu Jun 12 07:46AM | Report abuseWho cares!!!
Posted by: miketownend on Thu Jun 12 07:48AM | Report abuseI don't think that Lee deserved to win at all, could not stand the bloke, so @#$%y and full of himself. I hope that someone offers Claire the job of the lifetime as she was good and should go a long way.
Posted by: allmails77 on Thu Jun 12 07:50AM | Report abuseClaire was robbed. Lee is so rough, I don't think Sir Alan has a cat in hell's chance of polishing him. He is inarticulate, cannot even string a single sentence together and only has his awful catchphrase to fall back on. Claire saved him with the presentation. She thinks on her feet, is articulate, gets up and fights another day and she would have been a great asset to Sir Alan. I think he will regret his decision.
Posted by: chrismikemedlock on Thu Jun 12 07:51AM | Report abusealthough i didnt like claire to start with she grew on me and i was disapointed that she didnt win ,claire seemed to always be able to talk off cuff she would have been an asset to sir alan.
Posted by: vicki.acetaxis on Thu Jun 12 07:53AM | Report abusePersonally I am amazed that some one who can’t spell ( or use a spell checker ) , give effective presentations and lies has earned Sir Alan’s respect just because he can sell like a double glaze salesman. What kind of message are you sending out to our younger generation – forget about school work, lie and you will do well!!!!
Posted by: besttoyn on Thu Jun 12 07:55AM | Report abuseIm really pleased Lee won,he deserved it!!
Posted by: jademoulds on Thu Jun 12 07:56AM | Report abusePersonally I am amazed that some one who can’t spell ( or use a spell checker ) , give effective presentations and lies has earned Sir Alan’s respect just because he can sell like a double glaze salesman. What kind of message are you sending out to our younger generation – forget about school work, lie and you will do well!!!!
Posted by: besttoyn on Thu Jun 12 07:58AM | Report abuseClaire was robbed. She had worked exceptionally well, regardless of her pushy performance.She got the job done. Lee looks good as the rough diamond and sex appeal oozes but really, to lie so blantantly on your c v what does that say to the nation. He will never be an Alan Sugar, but i take my hat off to the producers of this programme. It gets you hooked. What to do now on wednesday evening!!
Posted by: celcollins on Thu Jun 12 08:01AM | Report abuseSorry but i really feel Sir Alan has lost the plot! i believe without Claire, Lee would have gone to bits and the fact he lied on his CV and made a complete and utter fool out of himself in the interview just shows he wasnt the man for the job, also he was an unfair team player and was totally unprofessional with Lucinda and how the boys cast her off to the side and then pointed all blame to her. Alex good but only when working on his own he is not a team member. Helena not strong in sales, not really prepared to give it a shot either. Claire should have gone through, yes i tad annoying to some point, but i think she has learnt from this best of a bad bunch would have been Claire.
Posted by: lisamaybin on Thu Jun 12 08:01AM | Report abuse