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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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I Only watched the series infrequently and employ 50 people myself - I agree with the comments that Lee lied on his CV and is not articulate - its difficult to understand how Sir Alan could see any promise in him - I also agree with the message we are sending our children. Clair was by far a more worthy candidate - she is forthright and determined - maybe Sir Alan is not as strong a character as he proposes to be and sees her as a threat. - All the same it is cheap TV albeit entertaining.
Posted by: jamescurrant on Thu Jun 12 08:58AM | Report abuseHere we go women's lib at it again accusing SAS of being sexist for not employing a manipulative b4tc4.. wake-up, we are in real world and the best person should get the job, be it a man or Woman.... and Lee opn this occaision was clearly ahead of claire...it's you guys that are old-fashioned....
Posted by: powerstormtrooper on Thu Jun 12 09:05AM | Report abuseNo Lee should not of got the job , Claire should of ,
Posted by: nigelmarshall on Thu Jun 12 09:05AM | Report abuseI am not a brainy person but i must admit that alex came up with a good idea for his bottle, it got me thinking ,if he said we make it out of strong pastic it would brought the cost down { DUAL } could have been used as a night out bottle for the man who wanted to stay fresh all night or day a good travel bottle while keeping the main supply at his base. thanks to Sir Alan Sugar for a interesting program, and good luck to the new apprentice. from a person who would love to work but disable M J Collett
Posted by: martasolde19 on Thu Jun 12 09:06AM | Report abuseHe shouldn't have win... he cheatted on his CV.......Unless it is ok to do so, of course.
Posted by: wood_annabelle on Thu Jun 12 09:06AM | Report abuseI thought Claire was by far the best - Sir Alan I think was going for who he liked in end, rather than who had performed best in that task (or throughout the series). I was surprised overall that these were the best candidates out of 20,000 applicants. And I was amazed that someone whose CV was full of spelling errors and typos got through to be a candidate, never mind winning the programme! (spelling isn't everything, it's just that one might have thought out of 20,000 candidates there would be so many to choose from that such poor presentation would have immediately ruled an applicant out) Helene was so wrong when she said they lost because of the package design. I think they lost because they showed that they couldn't work as a team, even when it was critical to do so.
Posted by: a.d.saramelkonian on Thu Jun 12 09:07AM | Report abuseOh Dear, Lee, the most inarticulate character amongst a pretty poor bunch. Sir Alan had to choose somebody and Lee did have something. I think a couple of years back at primary school may help. He lied about being at University for 2 years, when he only lasted 4 months. How did he get to University in the first place? Sir Alan probably didn't even realise how inarticulate he was. After all every time Sir Alan said 'we was' I cringed. He will find it tough where he will meet many adept, articulate and academically clever people. He is sadly an 'oik' with a dreadfully poor vocabulary and carries a 'bit of a chip on his shoulder'. However, he clearly has drive and determination and his shortcomings could be improved. I wish him well.
Posted by: kjhamblin on Thu Jun 12 09:07AM | Report abuseLee is a complete idiot but I think he is exactly right for the job . . . there is only a problem if you think people in business should be intelligent, creative, articulate and inspiring -people like that are doing far more interesting things with their lives.
Posted by: zer0_blok on Thu Jun 12 09:07AM | Report abusethought all the candidates this year were poor. I was delighted that Lee pulled through. He performed in every task and desperately wanted it. Lets hope the rough diamond turns into a gem, only time will tell. Good luck.
Posted by: foxylady3 on Thu Jun 12 09:11AM | Report abuseReally liked both Lee and Claire, however, Lee lied on his CV! What message does that send out to others! Hope Karen Brady gives Claire a job as promised during the interviews.
Posted by: vickyjpritchard on Thu Jun 12 09:11AM | Report abuse