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APPRENTICE sidekick Margaret Mountford last night quit the show.

The white-haired cult favourite, 56, is leaving after five years to finish her doctorate on ancient Egyptian manuscripts.

Corporate lawyer Margaret and colleague Nick Hewer act as Sir Alan Sugar’s “eyes and ears” on the BBC1 show.

The pair watch the wannabes bumble through their tasks before reporting to the business guru.

But she has told Sir Alan she will bow out after tomorrow night’s finale to concentrate on her PhD in papyrology.

A show insider said: “This will come as a big blow to Sir Alan and the millions of viewers.

“Margaret and Nick have almost as big a following as Sir Alan.

“She is very sad to be leaving but she feels the time is right.

“When she started I don’t think she had any idea just how popular it would become.”

The source added: “She has enjoyed every minute but it is very hard work and she wants to go out on a high.

“Margaret has told Sir Alan, who understands her reasons and thanked her for her hard work.”

Bosses will start their hunt for a replacement after the final episode of the current series, which airs tomorrow night.

Margaret met Sir Alan when she advised him on his firm Amstrad in the ’80s, and she joined the show at the start in 2005.

Source - The Sun