As the new series of The Apprentice kicks off, we've take a look back at contenstants from Bristol and how they've got on. The 18 new candidates were unveiled last night and will fight for a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar.
While we don't have Bristol representation this year, we have in the past. From posh boys who hired Kate Middleton, to a 19-year-old restaurateur, there have been several candidates from our city who tried to score Lord Sugar's vital investment. But, even though none of them made it to the final, many of them have still done very well for themselves.
Last year saw Bristolian candidate Brittany Carter knocked out of the competition, after falling down at the interview stage. The former hotel front of house manager at Bristol's Marriott Hotels failed to provide a comprehensive and complete business plan for her business, Maintain the Gain. Here are some of the other city candidates from through the years.
Rory Laing
After just two episodes, Rory Laing from Bristol was booted off series three of The Apprentice. The second cousin of the late Princess Diana did not fare well as project manager, acting very strict and shouting at his teammate, Tre Azam: "I AM your boss".
Tre would not put up with Rory's attitude. In a fiery exchange, he replied: "You are not my boss, you are nothing to me.”
Before his days on The Apprentice, Rory employed Kate Middleton for £5.25 an hour as a waitress for his events and catering company, according to the Financial Times. Now, the University of Bristol alumnus works for the Ministry of Defence as a Senior Project Manager.
Jennifer Maguire
Now known as Jennifer Zamparelli, this fourth series candidate is originally from Dublin, but was working sales jobs in Bristol around the time she was on the BBC show. Jennifer, who stated that she was able to make £60,000 in six months with no training when she first ran an office, described herself as "the best saleswoman in Europe at the moment", although she was kicked out of the competition in week seven as a result of poor leadership.
Despite her lack of success in the boardroom, Jennifer has gone from strength to strength since. The now 41-year-old has been fortunate in the world of television and comedy in Ireland, and has appeared as a host on Ireland's Dancing with the Stars and competed in Fáilte Towers, a reality show where celebrities attempt to run a hotel, in addition to many presenting roles.
Sophie Lau
Former Bristol Grammar School pupil Sophie appeared on series nine of The Apprentice back in 2013. First working as a waitress for a catering company, Sophie began running her own restaurant in Bristol, Ma'Kan, at the age of 19 whilst completing her studies.
Sadly, Sophie was the third candidate to be fired during series nine. After leaving the show, Sophie worked a number of roles in marketing, and now works as Head of Sales and Marketing at Fizzy Living, an apartment rental company that promises to provide tenants with 'a landlord you actually like'.
Lottie Lion
Taunton native Lottie Lion appeared on The Apprentice when she was just 19 years of age, and made it to the final five in the 2019 series. Before starring in the BBC show, Lottie worked as a librarian.
Earlier this year, Lottie hit out at producers at the BBC, saying the show was 'massively scripted', and that the producers 'put ideas in your head'. Three years on from her appearance on the programme, Lottie is now a law and social sciences student at the University of Bristol.
Daniel Elahi
Wolf of Wall Street wannabe Daniel Elahi lived in London around the time he was a candidate on The Apprentice, but was born in Bristol and attended Nailsea School and Sixth Form. Series 14 contestant Daniel moved to the capital to work as a banker for Credit Suisse after graduating from the University of Leicester.
Daniel was one of three candidates to be fired at the interview stages, and has had a career change since leaving the show. The lavish party animal is now the CEO of Revival Shots, which sells rehydration drinks sachets for adults and children.
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