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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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Sir Alan epitomised that money is more important than integrity and thereby set a bad example to all enterprenuers and middle management staff. Saying Claire is difficult to mould is 'bull'. She has been the composite performer and brilliant under stress. But for her even the weak presentation of Lee would have been difficult, but which Sir Alan credits as an improvement, a pat in the back for Claire. I believe Sir Alan should brief himself on high values put by middle and senior management on integrity for the sake of the companies they work for and judge using the gained knowledge in the next series. otherwise it will become like Big Brother.
Posted by: vsmanibala on Thu Jun 12 09:58AM | Report abuseYour commentary hits the nail on thehead. Lee was the only contender (other than Lucinda) who showed creativity with the push to make it happen...& he made it happen to him. Great result,Ann Ambler.
Posted by: ambleran on Thu Jun 12 09:58AM | Report abuseI am amazed that Lee won, he can't even speak properly without tripping over his words. Claire should have won for sure !!!
Posted by: beccy23 on Thu Jun 12 09:58AM | Report abuse"What kind of message are we sending out to the younger generation"..? I think the younger generation have far better things to do than sit around watching The Apprentice! The message for the younger generation should be "Don't waste you time sitting around watching The Apprentice and certainly don't use it as a model example!".
Posted by: cancom.test on Thu Jun 12 09:58AM | Report abuseClaire was ROBBED....yes she is loudmouthed but she worked hard over the last 12 weeks...Lee however is slimy, shifty and a sham...without somone else to guide him he was/is nothing....what is happening in this world? I think Sir Alan has made a dreadful mistake this time!!!
Posted by: sthornhill107 on Thu Jun 12 10:01AM | Report abuseSorry Sir Alan you got it wrong (for once) yes I know you don't give a sh..t what we think! Claire was by far the best of the two -she did not lie, is not inarticulate, can stand pressure! Lees a nice lad to go drinking with but as for trust... Bad signals to younger generation on how to get on
Posted by: rsm.ned on Thu Jun 12 10:02AM | Report abuseI wouldn't say none of them was employable. All had something, like everyone does, although it doesn't fit into everyjob. I don't think lee or helen should have even been in final, they were awful. liar,can't spell, lee should be selling fruit at the market, come and get your apples, 3 for a pound? Clair. although loud, is clever, uses her skills well. She walks the walk and talks the talk. Very employable and will do well in life. Helen looked like she was slapped with a fish and didn't know where to go, and her only contribution was girth. For me the true winner should have been alex, although quite full of himself at times, showed he can sell, and lbh, thats all business is, buying and selling. but he sold and sold well. Looked smart, and really wanted that job. I think sir alan has hired a donkey, but really wanted a racehorse.
Posted by: kill1towarna100 on Thu Jun 12 10:02AM | Report abuseI am Sooooooooooooooo chuffed that Lee won. Could not stand Claire. She was so up her self. X
Posted by: charbailey2003 on Thu Jun 12 10:03AM | Report abuseLee has all the classic problems of a Dyslexic person, lacks confidence, spelling difficulties, spellcheckers are no use to Dyslexic people, This is the main reason he's hidden this by clowning around. Clair on the other hand is confident so far she has done very well and will continue to. I'm delighted for Lee and hoped he'd win from week two. You people who are so critical of his inability to spell etc get up to date & read about Dyslexia after all this is 2008. Goog luck lad, you have a great future ahead of you, just keep looking forward and you'll be a real success.
Posted by: rosisinmasterson on Thu Jun 12 10:03AM | Report abuseshitttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! alex should have won
Posted by: jemsjems61 on Thu Jun 12 10:03AM | Report abuse