Michael Palin Reflects on Grief Two Years After Wife Helen’s Death
Michael Palin has opened up about his grief two years on from the death of his beloved wife Helen. The Monty Python star, 82, was married to…
A Lancashire pie company director who kept ‘banging on about chocolate’ to a health conscious food company has been the latest candidate on The Apprentice to be fired.
Paul Bowen, who claimed he would turn Lord Alan Sugar into the ‘Lord of the Pies’ and boasted he sold his wares to Manchester City Football Club, was told to leave the process.
His team failed the second week challenge after making cheesecakes for the public and corporate clients in Thursday’s episode on BBC One.
In the boardroom, Lord Sugar told him ‘Paul, I admire you for admitting your mistakes but there were simply too many mistakes and so it is with regret, Paul, you’re fired.’
The leaders of the female and male groups were chosen as Manchester project manager Foluso Falade and Bognor Regis pie company owner Phil Turner.
A Lancashire pie company director who kept ‘banging on about chocolate’ to a health conscious food company has been the latest candidate on The Apprentice to be fired
Paul Bowen, who claimed he would turn Lord Alan Sugar into the ‘Lord of the Pies’ and boasted he sold his wares to Manchester City Football Club, was told to leave the process
The male team had confrontation from the outset with a disagreement over whether to opt for chocolate or fruit, with the former ultimately being chosen and Paul becoming sub-team leader.
He was sent along to pitch the decadent chocolate cheesecake to the drinks-maker Innocent, who sell fruit and vegetable-based smoothies and juices.
The client responded saying their ‘focus’ was plant-based drinks and they ‘want to celebrate fruit and veg’.
Paul thought the meeting had gone well but Bristol recruitment director Jack Davies told him it was ‘an absolute car crash’ and added: ‘I think we started off by insulting the client.’
Jack was also disappointed that the price point had fallen from £9 per unit to £6.50, which then dropped further when they returned to the corporate client after some kitchen mishaps.
The kitchen team went with dragon fruit, apricot and avocado filling for the cheesecake and Paul also appeared not to pat down the crunchy base of the product, making the presentation less than perfect.
When they delivered them to the corporate client, the feedback was not positive, with the avocado being called ‘a bit odd’ and the base described as ‘like something a primary school class could have made’.
They then had to give the goods for a lower price and ultimately the male team failed the task.
His team failed the second week challenge after making cheesecakes for the public and corporate clients in Thursday’s episode on BBC One
In the boardroom, Lord Sugar told him ‘Paul, I admire you for admitting your mistakes but there were simply too many mistakes and so it is with regret, Paul, you’re fired’
Paul admitted he made a ‘mistake’ with the corporate client but failed to defend himself against accusations from Phil or Sheffield wellness brand owner Asif Munaf.
Failing to get Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment, he said in the taxi: ‘The biggest regret is obviously banging on about chocolate but, hey, it’s time to go back and make some pies.’
After his exit, Paul admitted that he had felt ‘pressure’ to appear like the ‘class clown’ on the show, that hindered his ability to show himself as a serious businessman.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: ‘You know, I am a funny, comedy guy and I like to have fun. All my decisions were business-based decisions but chat – I love a laugh!”
He added: ‘You know, being from up North and being down South, there is some different humour there.
‘I don’t think he [Lord Sugar] quite got my humour but I just kept on trying and trying.’
Despite being disappointed over his early exit, Paul admitted that he did agree he was the right candidate to be fired.
He said: ‘It was me that obviously pushed for chocolate. I would have liked for Lord Sugar to have seen why I did it and I think that if I’d have fought my corner a little harder, which maybe I should have done, I wouldn’t have been fired but it was my fault, so off I went!’
It wasn’t smooth sailing for the girls either after they suffered a blunder while testing out recipes for their cheesecakes which left their tongues stained black
As Onyeka Nweze stuck out her tongue, a shocked Sam Saadet said: ‘Oh my god teeth stained! Teeth stained!’
While Foluso attempted to justify the error, Flo quickly shot down the idea, saying: ‘No it’s a corporate event we can’t have people’s teeth dyed’
Paul became the second contestant to hear Lord Sugar’s dreaded two words after sales executive Oliver Medforth left the process last week.
The Yorkshire businessman was sacked after the men’s team suffered a disastrous £506.40 loss after their away day in the Scottish Highlands failed to impress.
Meanwhile Thursday’s episode wasn’t smooth sailing for the girls either after they suffered a blunder while testing out recipes for their cheesecakes.
As the kitchen team got to work they realised things hadn’t quite gone to plan after they mixed pretzels with dye that stained their teeth black.
As Onyeka Nweze stuck out her tongue, a shocked Sam Saadet said: ‘Oh my god teeth stained! Teeth stained!’
After his exit, Paul admitted that he had felt ‘pressure’ to appear like the ‘class clown’ on the show, that hindered his ability to show himself as a serious businessman
Despite being disappointed over his early exit, Paul admitted that he did agree he was the right candidate to be fired
Calling to Foluso she added: ‘No to the black pretzel’s, teeth stained -we just tested it.’
Foluso attempted to justify using the pretzels in their cheesecakes, telling the group: ‘Corporate team, will you guys listen to me for one second?
‘The pretzels have too much dye on them right, I know this is a stretch, but is there a way we can play off the dye being part of the dungeon experience if their teeth go black a little bit anything like that?’
But Flo Edwards quickly shot down the idea and saved the team as she said: ‘No it’s a corporate event we can’t have people’s teeth dyed.’
The Apprentice series 18 continues on BBC One next Thursday
THE APPRENTICE 2024: MEET THE CANDIDATES
Amina Khan
Occupation: Pharmacist and Business Owner
Location: Ilford
Amina has been a qualified pharmacist for over a decade, in which time she has created a successful skincare and supplements business.
Flo Edwards
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Location: London
Flo revealed that she started her own consultancy, making her ready to tackle Lord Sugar.
Foluso Falade
Occupation: Project Manager
Location: Manchester
Foluso brands herself the ‘Mary Poppins of business’ and revealed that her aim is to run the first Social Enterprise to win Lord Sugar’s investment.
Maura Rath
Occupation: Owner, Yoga Company
Location: Wexford
Maura is taking the edge as a yoga teacher into her appearance.
Noor Bouziane
Occupation: Owner, Jewellery Company
Location: Liverpool
Ambitious owner of a premium jewellery company Noor professed that she will generate a wealth of cash for Lord Sugar thanks to the unique nature of her business.
Onyeka Nweze
Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary
Location: London
Onyeka revealed her plan is to be the first tech business investment made by Lord Sugar in eighteen series.
Rachel Woolford
Occupation: Boutique Fitness Studio Owner
Location: Leeds
Business-minded from a very young age, Rachel has plenty of experience managing her work independently. As well as her hard work in the office, she also shares her fitness triumphs on social media including running the New York Marathon in 2019.
Raj Chohan
Occupation: Mortgage Broker
Location: Leamington Spa
Raj admits that while she is a grafter, she is determined to have fun while working – as illustrated on her fun-filled Instagram account. A self-confessed ‘dog with a bone’ when meeting her targets, she wants to hit a gap in the market and will do whatever it takes for success.
Sam Saadet
Occupation: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Coach
Location: Essex
Sam revealed her friends call her a real Del Boy for being ‘part-wheeler dealer’ as well as her eye for a bargain. An online fitness coach with a focus on mums and mums-to-be, she’s hoping to prove her business brain to Lord Sugar.
Dr. Asif Munaf
Occupation: Owner, Wellness Brand
Location: Sheffield
Asif boldly describes himself as ‘Beauty, brains, body and business’ on his CV. The qualified doctor’s business plan focuses on vitamins and supplements.
Jack Davies
Occupation: Recruitment Director
Location: Bristol
As well as his work as a recruitment director, Jack also acts as a food reviewer, meaning he is ready with diverse knowledge and skills for challenges.
Oliver Medforth
Occupation: Sales Executive
Location: Yorkshire
Oliver’s background in selling at markets has him looking forward to the famous sales tasks. He is often seen plugging his wares on social media – particularly his gin range.
Paul Bowen
Occupation: Director, Pie Company
Location: Lancashire
One of two pie company experts entering the process, Paul prides his business on big name clients such as Manchester City Football Club.
Dr. Paul Midha
Occupation: Owner, Dental Group
Location: Leeds
Paul started his practice using every resource he had. Used to extensive learning from studying as a dentist, Paul is set on Lord Sugar’s investment and all that he can teach him about the world of business.
Phil Turner
Occupation: Owner, Pie Company
Location: Bognor Regis
Phil was awarded ‘Supreme Pie Champion’ in 2020 for his family-owned pie business, which dates back to the 1930s. He’s hoping to prove himself to Lord Sugar and start making him some real dough.
Steve Darken
Occupation: Management Consultant
Location: London
Steve claims that he shares Lord Sugar’s sharp mind and sense of humour. Consulting for ‘some of the biggest companies in the world’, he’s ready to take on the boardroom.
Tre Lowe
Occupation: Music & Wellness Entrepreneur
Location: London
Tre has had his previous tastes of fame, including in the UK garage band named Architechs. His Instagram account is a who’s who of the showbiz world, including snaps with Simon Cowell and Emily Ratajkowski.
Virdi Singh Mazaria
Occupation: Music Producer
Location: Leicester
DJ Virdi wants to introduce Lord Sugar to world he’s yet to invest in – music. His life is certainly filled with luxury as he shares frequent snaps on flash holidays and in front of pricey motors.
