[Spike]

Apprentice hopeful Michael Sophocles had "close ties" with the programme before he applied to work for Sir Alan Sugar, according to a report.

Sophocles, 25, was employed by EMP Media, a small firm which publishes the BBC One show's official magazine.

One ex-colleague has suggested that Michael may have used his position to grab a place in the final line-up of candidates.

The source told The Sun: "I was very surprised to see Michael on the show as EMP has such great links with The Apprentice. He's a pushy bloke who likes to get his own way. If he did it, though, it's very unfair because it's supposed to be an open contest."

However, a spokesman for the show insisted that no rules have been broken.

DS

[Ruth]

I like Alex - he seems to have a lot of common sense. Raef must be kept in at all costs, for sheer entertainment purposes.

Jenny is a complete and utter bitch - and Lindi is as thick as a plank. The rest are a bunch of non-entities really.

[Ruth]

Originally posted by GiRTh
An interesting episode. I think Sir Alan was wrong to fire Shazia but, as MIchelle Moan pointed out, if you'd simply heard what happened and not seen it then it was probably the decision most people would have made.

Ginger Jenny should have gone. She comes across as an autocratic control freak type of manager but she had so little control over her team. She knew nothing about pricing, she didn't anticipate the logistics of getting the clothes washed and she had nothing even resembling a plan. She didn't seem to have a clue about anything other than telling others to shut up when she's talking. I was surprised that none of the girls took her on and tried to bring her down to size.

The incident in the taxi with Lucinda was amazing. It wasn't a discussion it was an assault. At that time Jenny had no idea of how well or badly her team had done but she decided to pick an argument with Lucinda anyway. I couldn't believe it. I think Jenny made a bit of a burk of herself in last nights episode. She showed she neither had the temperment or the skill set to go much further in the competition. And, she's just plain mean.

Shazia showed order and direction in the system she set up for identifying the laundry but, she was asked by Jenny to leave and go back to the house. Jenny did not acknowledge this at any time in the board room. If it had not been for Shazia's organising the cleaning the girls would have lost by even more.

This years candidates seem to be a bit of a timid bunch. they dont seem to want to say anything in the boardroom. Have they seen the show before?

What amazed me the most was when Jenni accused Shazia of lying...I was suprised that Sir Alan didn't ask what lies Shazia was supposed to have told. Jenni clearly has no 'people skills' at all, and no idea how to talk to people.

Jenni's comment about having to breastfeed Lucinda and Shazia conjured up some unfortunate images - I'm thinking she might have meant to say 'spoon feed'.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by RuthWhat amazed me the most was when Jenni accused Shazia of lying...I was suprised that Sir Alan didn't ask what lies Shazia was supposed to have told. Jenni clearly has no 'people skills' at all, and no idea how to talk to people.

Jenni's comment about having to breastfeed Lucinda and Shazia conjured up some unfortunate images - I'm thinking she might have meant to say 'spoon feed'.

Agreed.

As I recall Lucinda was simply demonstrating that the clothes didn't need much ironing. Jenny went on and on and on in the taxi making the same point over and over again. She kept telling Lucinda to shut up presumably so that she could make the same point again. I'm surprised no one picked up on that and tore Jenny a new on. Hopefully she'll will get her come uppance in the next few shows

[Shaun]

I don't recall seeing Jenni doing any physical labour

[Spike]

Glad the women won, I think the boys team leader will be fired he was a really bad leader.

[xDramatick]

I WANTED the boys to win =[
Ian's gonneee. he's one of the fit ones =[
I think Kevin shoulda gone -nods-

[Ruth]

I think the right one went - Ian had absolutely no management skills whatsoever. He was foolish to take Simon back in the boardroom with him, because it was pretty obvious that Sir Alan quite likes Simon. The boys didn't deserve to win that task - after performing so well last week, they were a complete shambles this week.

Gone off Lee - I'm always suspicious of anyone who refers to themselves in the third person.

I like Alex's hat - actually he's a bit of a hottie.

Kevin - waste of space; deserved to stay only by virtue of the fact that he wasn't quite as bad as Ian. But he (Kevin) doesn't half talk some rubbish.

[Callum]

Glad the girls won, they deserved it imo. They work much better as a team.
Ian was right to be fired, he was a rubbish team leader, totally unorganized. Can't wait for next week's, this year's Apprentice is really good.

[Shaun]

Agreed with Callum, although I think Kevin should have gone as well - he was utterly hopeless, and reminds me of Matt Lucas - so I can't take him seriously.

[MrGaryy]

Yeah Kevin should've gone he was crap this week!

[Christina]

Originally posted by Shaun
Agreed with Callum, although I think Kevin should have gone as well - he was utterly hopeless, and reminds me of Matt Lucas - so I can't take him seriously.

Omg same here he reallly reminded me of Matt Lucas lool x

[GiRTh]

The right decision. When the task is a total shamble then the project manager has to go. It was painful watching the boys screw up so badly.

[Sam!]

Ian needed to go. His leadership skills were terrible. Bring on next week

[~Kizwiz~]

The girls won by default because the boys screwed up massively.

I honestly cant believe that Ian lied through his teeth about Kevin holding that motivational meeting.

I am glad that the teams get mixed next week because the girls are starting to get their claws out on each other.

I did laugh when Simon called SAS Alan!!!! But he is an interesting one to watch. Will Simon be able to step up to the challenge and get out of his grafter role. SAS said that his card was marked and that he will be watched closely but in my opinion, other years candidates who also had theirs marked went on to do very well, Tre Azam from series 3 is a good example of this

[Sam!]

Yeh I laughed at that lol. Alan lool.

[Dan_]

I was hoping Ian was going to do well.I've heard him on local radio for years now doing the sports reports and he's always seemed a good bloke.But he seriously messed on this task, the complete waste of money was unforgiveable as were his poor leadership skills.

I don't like that Kevin,he seems like a little sneak.His accent kind of reminds me of Vicky Pollard too.

Why was Lee so aggressive the whole episode? He seems a real loose cannon.

[Ruth]

I think Sir Alan actually really likes Simon - as he said himself, it was unfair that Simon was even in the boardroom.

Firm favourites for me are Alex and Simon.

[GiRTh]

Simon needs to show he can do more than just physical tasks. Was it me or was Simon close to tears in the boardroom.

I'm not pleased the girls won even after a few of them tried to dismiss the Bollywood idea. If the boys had any control over their costs they'd have cleaned up last night.

[Ruth]

I didn't want the girls to win - and if the boys had just thought out their costings, the girls wouldn't have won.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Ruth
I think Sir Alan actually really likes Simon.

I actually thought that last night too. He had a conversation with Simon in a way that I have never seen him do before.

[Magic]

Jenifer out this week! Please!

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Magic
Jenifer out this week! Please!

Which one? Ginger Jenny or dark haired Irish Jenny

[Ruth]

I'd be happy for ginger Jenni or Lindi to go, from the girl's team. From the boys, I'd ideally like Kevin to go. I think the teams might be mixed this week though?

[Magic]

Girth - Yeah I want Gingr Jenni out.
And Ruth, I cant stand Kevin either, and yeah, the teams are mixed.