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OK, now we're confused. Only last week we were saying that it seemed Sir Alan had a soft spot for Simon and that the ex-squaddie could do no wrong - and now just one week later he's been fired!
To make matters worse, Sir Alan fired Simon over Alex and Claire (more about those two in a moment) - what is going on?
To be fair, it was a disastrous task for Simon with his team managing to lose money - their photography business having to turn customers away after a mix-up over order numbers. But just how big a part did Alex and Claire play in his downfall?
Last night saw those two - favourites of ours earlier in the series - show their true colours as total snakes. Alex was shirking responsibility right from the start of the task when Simon wanted to appoint him as deputy. This is despite his own declaration that he is the strongest person in the contest! If Alex really is that talented, he's been hiding it well. It was also interesting to see Alex turn on Claire in the boardroom when he thought his own position was in danger. Sir Alan, please see through the sad eyes and pretty boy looks and fire him!
Like Alex, Claire was obstructive throughout the task and seemed to be enjoying it when everything started to go wrong for Simon. Margaret (who appeared to be in a foul mood last night - go Margaret!) got it spot on when she commented that Claire had treated Simon like dirt. So why would Sir Alan want someone like that working for him? It will be interesting to see how she copes next week as team-leader. The others looked less than thrilled at this news.
The Lucinda bullying continued last night with Helene taking her turn to pick on the softly spoken, beret-wearing one. Is anyone going to step in and defend her? And what's wrong with Raef? He spoke about two words last night. We're heard of keeping your head down in the early stages but this is ridiculous.
Are you as shocked as we are to see Simon out of the contest? How did Alex and Claire manage to escape this time? And with Simon gone, who is your favourite to win now?
Let us know your thoughts...
- Watch Simon's reaction to the show
- See the moment Simon is fired
- Find out what's on TV tonight
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User comments
It should hav been claire - total @#$% - and also alex is showin true colours
Posted by: m.vickress on Thu Apr 17 02:22PM | Report abuseApprentice gladiators must use whatever means they can to maximise personal gain, despite the bruising inseparable from the contest. Sir Alan Sugar seems to know exactly how best to operate his excruciating roller-coaster.
Posted by: philipkipping on Thu Apr 17 02:23PM | Report abuseI felt really sorry for Simon when Sir Alan fired him. He came forward with all the good ideas for the photography task and if only his colleagues had supported him they would have won easily.Alex and Claire were hopeless..I think he is the a most genuine person and I think he will succeed elsewhere.
Posted by: judywhyte16 on Thu Apr 17 02:26PM | Report abuseSimon was right in what he said in the follow-up programme; his skills do not lie in heading up a team such as this. He is probably much more used to dealing with mature, honest and willing soldiers and not a rabble of unruly child-like civilians who are very obviously out to humiliate and destroy anyone showing the slightest sign of scruples and inellect. Perhaps Sir Alan is keeping the others on so he can take an even greater delight in their eventual demise as players in this game. Let us hope so, if not, it means he is playing to the TV ratings and that would would very sad indeed.
Posted by: b.port on Thu Apr 17 02:26PM | Report abuseThe best guide to being an entrepreneur is a book by John Sortino. I don't work for people like Mr Sugar for two minutes. I tell them goodbye. It is not necessary to be be unpleasant in life. There are plenty of wealthy, pleasant people and I am one of those, tell Mr Sugar to get lost, he is setting a stupid example to the kids of today.
Posted by: p0stman on Thu Apr 17 02:30PM | Report abuseSir Alan should give Simon a second chance - surely he is looking for an "apprentice", or in Simon's words " a number two", not the finished article. Simon has the ability to listen and learn, which is more than can be said for all the other over-inflated, self-important, egotistical back-stabbers on this series. Go on Sir Alan, give the lad a chance! He is a genuine guy who would be loyal and work his socks off for you.
Posted by: evelyn.adams on Thu Apr 17 02:31PM | Report abuseSad that Simon was fired. He was the only one who seemed genunine and had with some proper manners. The rest ! Well I wouldn't trust them let alone employ them !!
Posted by: redtaylor on Thu Apr 17 02:32PM | Report abuseI hope and Pray Claire goes next so we can see that smug look on her face wiped off!!!
Posted by: knottydf on Thu Apr 17 02:33PM | Report abuseDon't think I'll be watching again after last nights show. It's not about business at all now - it's about keeping in the morons that will "entertain" the masses. Have been very disappointed in Sir Alan this series - I thought he was different. May as well switch on Big Brother!
Posted by: cgoulding965 on Thu Apr 17 02:33PM | Report abuseClaire, should have gone, absolute useless and a 2 faced muppet!
Posted by: copex1978 on Thu Apr 17 02:33PM | Report abuse