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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 think Lee deserved to win because he is a brilliant sales guy very very down to earth charming man and if he sells something to me i d definitely buy from him !!! As for claire, i cannot stand her , a bit of big head and pushy woman.. I enjoyed watching him trying to sell to people God he is so good.. I was so happy Lee won !!!
Posted by: janesamp on Thu Jun 12 09:26AM | Report abuseI've never watched this - I get enough of this sort of idiot at work. When I come home, I want enjoyment and entertainment.
Posted by: tokomaru on Thu Jun 12 09:27AM | Report abuseCouldn't believe that any of this motley crew deserved the job. I didn't see barely a hint of any organisational skills in any of them. All the pre-requisite qualities you would expect from supposedly experienced people were missing. They are salespeople to be sure, but that's it - Lee didn't really desreve to win but there again nor did Claire although they were together perhaps the best of the bunch. To coin a phrase Alan used himself in the series: 'this is bl**dy outrageous non of you have got a Bl**dy clue' , best comment he made - personally I would have fired the lot at that point. This series was an interesting experiment the first /second time round but now I can only think that Alan Sugar continues to allow himself to be involved because of the tremendous publicity , Kudos (not to mention royalties) that the BBC offers to his organisation. I enjoyed the first 2 series, but this last one has left me cold. This is turning into to an alternative 'Big Brother' where candidates are selected to take part on the basis that they will conflict and argue thus making good television. That's fine but at least throw in a couple of decent candidates - not these airheads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: denzil.fellows on Thu Jun 12 09:27AM | Report abusesalams, although i supported alex as well but i think lee was the better candidate for the job cause he has proved over the period of last twelve weeks that he is capable enough to fullfil sir alan's demand under his umbrella, as far as claire is concern she was fantastic but perhaps not good enough......., helene was not the one for sure and alex should really pull him self up cause he has been impressive too.
Posted by: mykhanuk on Thu Jun 12 09:28AM | Report abuseI'm so pleased for Lee - he deserved to win! I hope that 'rough diamond' Lee will go from strength to strength. What a great name by the way: Lee McQueen. It almost sounds like he made that up! Claire will have no problem at all with finding a great job. She will be a great asset. In fact Karen Brady has already offered her a job.
Posted by: m_m_luk on Thu Jun 12 09:28AM | Report abuseI think he deserved to win rather than claire as she was earning that much so whats the point also she was so up her own arse it would be hard to mould her she reminded me so much of last years apprentice ruth but I think its time he started getting the low payied ones to give them a chance
Posted by: tabitha.scouse on Thu Jun 12 09:29AM | Report abuseI agree with the Lee decision although the dodgy CV bothers me. Claire will make it to the top, as indeed they all will. Imagine having your face all over the press and TV for 3 months - The doors are wide open. What to do with Wednesday evening now?
Posted by: christopherwethered on Thu Jun 12 09:29AM | Report abusevery much enjoyed series,although i think that this years candidates were mainly from another planet! just a bit more common sense in the tasks which i think i could have done ,even though im 60 . must be a bit nerve wracking. good luck lee , go for it .
Posted by: j.butler58 on Thu Jun 12 09:30AM | Report abuseshallow pish about idiots with large egos and inflated opinions of themselves.
Posted by: amackellar on Thu Jun 12 09:32AM | Report abuseWell done Lee, that's all I can say. Claire had too much of a 'Ruth Badger' persona about her - all mouth, little else. Alex - well, just a 'nice' guy, with little subtance. Helene - if she HAS been doing presentations for years (as she claimed to Alex), then I hope they weren't all as bland as that. But that's the word that sums her up best. I think part of the reason Lee won was BECAUSE he has some character and IS a bit rough around the edges - good on him!
Posted by: nicholaspullen on Thu Jun 12 09:34AM | Report abuse