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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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Claire and Lee were winners but Lee probably needed more thatn Claire. Looking at Sir Alan's face, I reckon he has something up his sleeve for her anyway.
Posted by: chrislittlejohn on Thu Jun 12 08:33AM | Report abuseI hope this programme never comes on TV again - it is total trash!
Posted by: venom2 on Thu Jun 12 08:33AM | Report abuseAlan Sugar will never appoint a strong, intelligent and gutsy woman as his apprentice, he would be too worried that she might 'take over' part of his organisation! Remember 'The Badger'? Any future female applicants take note. Grannylonglegs
Posted by: dilys.burgess on Thu Jun 12 08:34AM | Report abuseClare was robbed...well, so was Alex....surely someone who is on a commission only basis is the hardest worker???.... Lee cant spell,lies on hic CV and cant speak for toffee, in a public situation he will lose it!!!......time will tell....cant wait for next years show top programme.Dawn, Cheshire
Posted by: simonldowling on Thu Jun 12 08:35AM | Report abusei have to agree with other comments - this guy lied - is this what big business want? - have all business leaders lied and cheated their way to the top? all i can say - if it's true - we're all in BIG trouble.
Posted by: graham.a.wood22 on Thu Jun 12 08:36AM | Report abuseLet's take a pause and reflect. Many of us have the preconception where the fittest apprentice should have certain "qualities and images"...(well name it)...highly educated, great presentation skills, owesome negotiation skills, well suited, smart...which sll of these come as a package and we fit this image into the 6 figure salary. The great thing of 12 week interview is to find out the core inner qualities of ones, besides shiny written qualifications which depicted on paper (CV). Many of the candidates were overconfident in selling themselves...what the past they have achieved. In real fact, to be an apprentice, you have to get your hands dirty and strike of 110%. Sir Alan likes Lee, and he wants someone who can work from scratch and yet all out. I think between Lee and Claire, we can see Lee played well in this game, no backstabbing, no overpowering. Claire obviously is a great candidates in marketing and her presentation skills is brilliant, but the previous records speak-she has been so defensive and caused Simon (Alan likes him and address him as my friend) to be fired for the photography session. What makes Lee outstanding, in Leadership philosophy is...the word "WE", we work togather, we win togather, this is the most precious value in leadership. All candidates have their management backgroud which has place them into today's attainments. But management and leadership has vast differences, while others say about I, Me, but Lee says We, that's what I am talking about. He motivates the team for couple of session and that's internal qualities of We is what Sir Alan is search about.
Posted by: bc.chew on Thu Jun 12 08:38AM | Report abusePoor choice. Claire shone & developed was articulate & not overly vain.
Posted by: janetdunphy on Thu Jun 12 08:38AM | Report abuseI couldn't agree more with the comments by Besttoyn about Lee. He was caught out in a blatant lie on his cv, to say nothing of his inability to spell - or to make a good business presentation. The lie about his educational qualifications alone should have kept him out of the final, and choosing him as the winner sends all the wrong messages to job applicants across the country.
Posted by: david_currer on Thu Jun 12 08:42AM | Report abuseClaire was by far the strongest candidate, Lee works in recruitment so I don't know why they were surprised to find out he was a liar!!!!!!!!!! Am sure Claire will do better long term anyway, she may not be very likeable but she is the person you would trust to get the job done and not lose it under pressure.
Posted by: gem_elwood on Thu Jun 12 08:43AM | Report abuseI have a feeling that Sir Alan is a mysogyn when it comes to business. It is as if he doesn't trust women who have something in their belly to compete with men. The only time he hired a woman, she was the weakest and ended up being fired in the process. Clair is the small copy of the badger, and i strongly believe she was robbed of her trophy. I am surprise Sir Alan would hire somebody who cannot deliver a good presentation and therefore sell the finished product. I am real P-O!
Posted by: nostalgiaprice on Thu Jun 12 08:44AM | Report abuse