The Apprentice lovebirds Harpreet and Akshay have admitted they never imagined they would fall in love on the show as they spoke about their ‘intense’ proposal. 

Winner of the 2022 series Harpreet Kaur got engaged to fellow contestant Akshay Thakrar in May after he proposed with a display of red roses on a London rooftop.

But while his mother hinted at the possibility of a romance on the show, Akshay, 30, told OK! magazine he insisted she ‘not be silly’, assuming that wouldn’t happen.

‘I never thought I’d meet someone on the show,’ said Harpreet, 32, echoing her partner’s sentiments in the interview on Thursday. ‘I just didn’t expect it at all.’

Akshay revealed that just like the high-pressure business show, the proposal was ‘intense’, with wind determined to wreck his carefully-decorated display.

The Apprentice lovebirds Harpreet Kaur, and Akshay Thakrar, (seen in 2023) admitted they never imagined they would fall in love on the show, and spoke of their ‘intense’ London proposal 

Harpreet, who won The Apprentice in 2022, got engaged to fellow contestant Akshay in May after he proposed with a stunning display of red roses on a London rooftop (Both seen in their promo shots for the 2022 series)

‘It was really intense,’ he said. ‘I was going to propose facing London Bridge, but the wind was so bad all I could think about was the proposal stand falling over. 

‘As soon as Harpreet said yes, relief washed over me.’

And Harpreet said that relief was more than obvious, as rather than hug her immediately to bask in their new adventure, he clapped his hands together and exclaimed: ‘Brilliant. Done.’

However that didn’t ruin the wonderful day, she said, adding: ‘But it was a pleasant surprise. It was beautiful. Every girl deserves to be proposed to in that way.’

Before competing on the show Akshay said his mother made jokes about him finding love, telling him: ‘Good luck you might find your wife.’ 

‘I told her to not be silly because it was a business show and such a high-pressure environment,’ he said. 

And if first impressions were anything to go by, their romance seemed unlikely. 

Harpreet said that on the first day of The Apprentice, Akshay gave her a serious glance and looked away.

Akshay revealed that just like the high-pressure business show, the proposal (pictured) was ‘intense’, with wind determined to wreck his carefully-decorated display 

Alongside the loved-up snap, Akshay penned: ‘I would find you in any lifetime❤️ Our journey began in the most unexpected way. Now it’s time to begin our forever chapter. She said yes’

Before competing on the show Akshay (seen with Harpreet in 2022) said his mother made jokes about him finding love, telling him: ‘Good luck you might find your wife’

It made her think he was there for business and business only. ‘He does not look very friendly,’ she thought at the time. 

But two years on the pair are completely smitten and within 12 months of the show ending, had bought a home, got engaged and started planning their wedding. 

‘I had a plan that I wasn’t going to make friends,’ Akshay revealed. ‘I wanted everyone to be scared of me. 

‘But there was a point where Harpreet was doing a pitch and I thought, “I’d love a partner like her”.’

And once their romance had blossomed, Harpreet revealed their relationship ‘escalated quickly’ because they already had the important foundation of ‘trust and friendship’. 

‘We almost knew we were going to get married at some point,’ she added.

The pair are both Indian but said they have slightly different cultures, so their wedding will be a fusion of both, with some elements of an English ceremony.

The ‘three or four-day event’ will consist of a traditional English wedding, followed by Indian ceremonies and a massive party, with a guest list of around 150 people.

Two years on the pair (seen in 2022) are completely smitten and within 12 months of the show ending, had bought a home, got engaged and started planning their wedding

The pair (seen in 2022) are both Indian but said they have slightly different cultures, so their wedding will be a fusion of both, with some elements of an English ceremony

And fellow contestant and Harpreet’s best friend Kathryn Burn will be one of her bridesmaids. 

Harpreet and Akshay confirmed their romance in August 2022 when they shared a loved-up snap together to mark three months of dating. 

The pair’s stunning proposal scene took place on a London rooftop with a rose display, sparklers and an LED sign which read: ‘Will you marry me?’

Harpreet looked glamorous in a metallic gown while showing off her dazzling engagement ring from the London Diamond Dealer.

Alongside the loved-up snap, Akshay penned: ‘I would find you in any lifetime❤️ Our journey began in the most unexpected way. Now it’s time to begin our forever chapter. She said yes.’

Their Apprentice co-stars were quick to congratulate the couple in the comment section.

Brittany Carter wrote: ‘I AM LITERALLY IN TEARS. I am so happy for you both this is just the best thing to ever happen. CONGRATULATIONS.’

Kathryn Louise Burn said: ‘MY BEST FRIEND IS GETTING MARRIED AHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH, a match made in heaven.’