apprentice finalists business plans

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The Apprentice 2024 champion says it’s not ‘greedy’ to hike up prices immediately after winning

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The winner of The Apprentice 2024 has been revealed, after being chosen by Lord Alan Sugar to receive the business magnate’s £250,000 investment.

Following the final of the BBC series, the enthusiastic entrepreneur is looking forward to expanding their small business, explaining to Metro.co.uk why the decision to increase their prices was not a ‘greedy’ strategy.

During tonight’s episode, boutique fitness studio Rachel Woolford went up against pie company owner Phil Turner at the final hurdle, with the finalists tasked with launching their business and presenting in front of a room filled with industry experts.

In the end, Rachel reigned supreme, resulting in Lord Sugar investing a quarter of a million pounds into her venture to expand her North Studio fitness business in the north of England .

Before the final stage of the competition, Rachel had to face some of Lord Sugar’s most trusted advisors analysing every last detail of her business proposal – and at times, facing intense criticism.

Following the assessment of her expansion plans for North Studio, the 27-year-old explained the changes that she decided to make to her business model.

‘Lord Sugar said to me in the final episode, is there scope to increase your prices? Obviously that will affect your margins, and Lord Sugar is all for bigger margins,’ she shared.

‘At that time, we were very much in line with the market where the pricing is. Because I have a small independent business and it’s a community, things like your prices, it’s a sensitive thing to do. Nobody wants to put their prices up when you’re a small business.’

Rachel continued: ‘But you know, in times like this you are forced to. We haven’t made a price increase in a couple of years now and it’s been very much in line with the market. We’re now at a point where price change you do you have to consider, because cost, everything has gone up.’

The Apprentice winner emphasised that a year ago, she would have felt ‘more afraid’ to have made a change such as increasing her prices – but, as she highlighted, ‘this is a business’.

‘This is a business decision. It’s not out of greed but this is a business and we have to work on margins.

‘So I think maybe being a little bit more sure of myself and knowing it is a business at the end of the day. Things like your price or your costs, I’ve always negotiated my cost to as low as I can and continuing to do that without feeling any form of guilt.’

As many viewers will know, The Apprentice typically films two endings for the finale, so even the finalists don’t know until way later which of them has won, and which has ended the series as the runner-up.

Rachel said that she only found out a week ago that she was the champion, revealing that it feels ‘overwhelming’ and ‘bizarre’ to be going into business with Lord Sugar after watching the programme for the past 12 weeks .

When asked if she’s had many one-on-one conversations since the result was revealed, Rachel answered: ‘I have only just really found out, that conversation wasn’t that long ago, so I haven’t had any conversations since then.

‘But that conversation was really positive obviously, he told me I was the winner and really looking forward to setting up a new site with him, which is what I went on to show to do in the first place.’

Now that The Apprentice has been going for almost 20 years, it’s inevitable that fans will compare the winner’s business to the endeavours of their predecessors, which include cake business owner Alana Spencer and skincare specialist Leah Totton.

However, Rachel stressed that she’s not trying to ‘compete’ against the past winners.

‘I’m very much in my own lane and I always have been,’ she stated.

I think for me, it’s just continuing to roll out what I’ve rolled out for the last few years, which is this small boutique fitness studio that offers inclusive classes that are fun and people go to socialise and be part of the community.’

She explained that her North Studio boutique fitness studio isn’t just about offering ‘your typical Monday gym classes’, as the company also ‘prides itself on being community-focused’.

‘It’s great for mental and physical wellbeing, but it’s also good fun, and you’re getting enjoyment out of it,’ she said.

‘I think my and Lord Sugar’s focus will be to continue to roll out what’s already been successful, but in a new location. Our focus is high profit margins and I’ve been doing this for a few years now, so I know where we can save on costs. I know where we need to spend as well.

‘I’m really looking forward to doing this with somebody who…of course, he’s putting capital into the business which is amazing and it makes a huge difference to being able to open another studio, but it’s also having someone like his expertise on hand and his resources and his ideas.

‘Yes, I’m the industry expert in what I do, but he’s got years and years of business experience, which is invaluable to me.’

So does Rachel think she could get Lord Sugar or his advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE into her studio?

‘Do you know I would love to have them all, but I think the only person I can persuade is Tim. Tim loves the gym. Lord Sugar likes his cycling, so maybe he’ll come and do some Pilates, because Pilates is brilliant for cyclists,’ she answered. Watch this space!

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Next on the agenda for Rachel and Lord Sugar is to ‘get a third site locked in and launched’, after opening her studios in Leeds and then Harrogate in North Yorkshire.

‘The key thing, especially when you’re opening multiple sites, is making sure that you’re consistent with the service. People came to the Leeds studio because of the service we provided. We opened up a second site in Harrogate, which is in North Yorkshire. We have to copy that service,’ she explained.

‘I had new team members and it brings its own challenges. Now that’s successful, we’re now going to do that for a third time, but I’ll be doing it with Lord Sugar this time.

‘My key thing that I’ll always have my eye on is ensuring we’re consistent and whatever we’ve delivered at the previous two sites has to be delivered at the third site otherwise your USP is out the window.’

The Apprentice is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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BBC The Apprentice finalists, business plans and why they deserve to win

Rochelle Anthony and Marnie Swindells go head to head for Lord Sugar's investment in the final of this year's Apprentice on BBC1

• 10:50, 23 MAR 2023

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Lord Alan Sugar is set to decide who will become his new business partner and recipient of £250,000 in the series finale of The Apprentice after a 18 candidates were whittled down to just two, Rochelle Anthony and Marnie Swindells.

In final episode of The Apprentice 2023, which airs at 9pm on Thursday, March 23, viewers will watch in as this year's fired candidates return to help the finalists launch their companies. This will be in front of Lord Sugar and his sidekicks Karren Brady and Timothy Campbell, a former winner of the BBC show himself.

Harpreet Kaur won last year's show with her plan to launch dessert parlours and sell her Oh So Yum! sweet treats online and in stores such as Selfridges.

Read more: BBC The Apprentice make decision over whether axed Reece Donnelly can appear in final

Rochelle Anthony

Rochelle is a salon owner from Bedfordshire and previously said: "I am a tenacious, fierce, and determined businesswoman. I'm always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I'm doing business with a hint of glam."

The 35-year-old, who owns The Dollshouse Salon in Milton Keynes, and plans to open more if given Lord Sugar's investment. On potentially earning the quarter of a million reward, Rochelle said: "I deserve Lord Sugar's investment because I know the hair industry like the back of my hand and Lord Sugar knows business. Together, we would be an absolute force to be reckoned with."

Marnie Swindells

Fellow finalist, Marnie, is a court advocate and boxer from London, who says her USP is her: "Imagination and creativity. I can see opportunity everywhere I look and being able to have that vision is something I think separates me from other people."

The 28-year-old plans on opening a boxing gym in central London if given Lord Sugar's investment and says she deserves it because: "I have given my blood, sweat and tears to my business."

"I think that taking the experience I have in the boxing industry and all the experience that he has in the business industry, together we would be a winning combination. I have fought tooth and nail to get to where I am today with my business."

• The Apprentice
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BBC The Apprentice: Who are the 2024 finalists?

It all comes down to one final test

• 20:00, 11 APR 2024

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The Apprentice has its final five candidates - and they are set to be interrogated by some of Lord Alan Sugar’s closest advisers at the final hurdle.

After ten weeks of difficult challenges, the BBC programme reaches its penultimate week. Some of Lord Sugar's most trusted aides will help ensure he chooses the best candidate to claim the winner's position.

The infamous episode will see them go head to head with business experts Claude Littner, Mike Soutar, Linda Plant and Claudine Collins. Their business plans will be interrogated, CVs picked apart and white lies exposed as the candidates battle it out to make the final in the hope of securing Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.

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READ MORE: Amazon's weight loss hula hoop 'shows results in 3 days' and is 'most fun shoppers have had'

Flo Edwards:

The recruitment consultant from London has said it feels "surreal" to be in the final showdown. She said: "When I first entered into the process and met the other candidates, I had severe imposter syndrome - dentists, pharmacists, chart-topping music producers and exceptionally credible business owners.

"At the time, I didn’t have my business launched. I knew I had to prove myself in other ways and so I piled immense pressure onto myself to deliver what I knew I would be my strongest skills, the corporate stuff! And so, one of my biggest takeaways has been learning the importance of believing and backing yourself!"

Paul Midha:

The dental group owner from Leeds said that he was "absolutely elated" to make the final five. He said: "I just couldn't stop smiling and I don’t think I stopped smiling for the next few days."

The trained dentist said the biggest thing he's learnt about himself through the process is that he thrives in "high pressure situations". He said: "When the pressure is on, that’s when I turn up.

"In those moments when you’re having to do things under so much pressure and you are able to deliver results, it’s a fantastic feeling."

Phil Turner:

The pie master from Bognor Regis found it "really rewarding to make the final five". He said: "The main thing I learned about myself is how tough I am mentally.

"I saw other candidates’ reactions and responses to losing tasks, being in the café, being in the final boardroom and I saw it really knocked their confidence. Having lost nine tasks on the trot, I really came out of the process knowing that I am mentally tough, and I think Lord Sugar could see that regardless of how many times I lost.

"I was bouncing back with the same enthusiasm, and I was never hiding. I learnt exactly how much adversity I could actually face and that’s something I am extremely proud of."

Rachel Woolford:

The boutique fitness studio owner from Leeds said that getting to the end of the process has been "quite unbelievable". Of the process, she said: "I learnt I’m a lot tougher than I initially thought and more capable.

"I’ve always had a little bit of imposter syndrome and going into The Apprentice I didn’t have a choice but to show up and do my best. It made me realise that my capabilities are a lot higher than I believed they were.

"It took me out of my comfort zone because I’m really close with my family and I’m in my business every day, so taking myself away from those two big things was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life, but it showed me what I’m capable of."

The music and wellness entrepreneur form London described making the final as "amazing". He said that he learnt "just how resilient [he] actually [is]" after securing a spot in the boardroom.

He said: "I have endured a lot of challenges in my life, but I have learned I am far more resilient than even I imagined. My health challenges, lack of sleep and leaving my familial responsibilities at home was a huge amount to process before even getting to the high-intensity environment, dealing with people from various backgrounds, ages and abilities.

"All the while being determined to win each time - no excuses and give 100% to each and every task. This is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life and I learned I was able to raise my game every time. I am immensely proud of myself for being incredibly resilient."

The Apprentice airs on BBC One on Thursday, April 11, at 9pm. Catch up is available on BBC iPlayer.

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• The Apprentice
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The Apprentice 2024 finalist Phil Turner wows candidates with pie plans in EXCLUSIVE preview

Virgin Radio

18 Apr 2024, 10:15

Credit: BBC

The Apprentice 2024 comes to an end tonight (18th April) but not before the final two candidates give it their all in the boardroom. 

Fitness entrepreneur Rachel Woolford and pie businessman Phil Turner will go head-to-head as they try to become Lord Sugar’s new business partner, and pick up a hefty £250,000 investment. 

As with every year, candidates from throughout the series will return to help out the finalists, and they will provide all the support for Rachel and Phil to produce a new brand for their company, alongside a digital billboard and TV advert. 

Not only that, but Rachel and Phil will present their new brand pitch in a room full of leading industry experts during a swanky black-tie event. 

In an exclusive preview clip shared to virginradio.co.uk , Phil gets the chance to sit down with his team, who get to test out his Turner’s Pie product.

“My family are a third-generation pie maker,” Phil tells his team, as they scoff down the delicious-looking tasters. 

“In 2010, I came into the family business and since then, we’ve developed the business. We’ve now got five shops," he added.

He continued: “Lord Sugar said to me, 'Your business looks OK, but you need to prove to me that this can be scaled up to be a big, national brand’. The online market is primed for that.”

For cosmetic dentist Paul, he was forced to change tack very late in the game, with only 12 hours to go, after all the panel unanimously begged him to grow his dental business instead of trying to get into producing medical scrubs. 

Fans watched on as the Leeds businessman decided instead to offer Lord Sugar a 50 percent stake in his already established business, but the mogul instead wanted control over the whole enterprise as well as handing over the £250,000 cash injection and his mentorship.

Speaking exclusively to virginradio.co.uk after his firing, Paul explained why he decided he couldn’t hand over the business, which ended up being a rather emotional decision. 

“That was the longest second of my life,” he confessed. “About a million things went through my mind. I just kept remembering the struggles, the journey, how can I devalue myself like that if I were to take it? 

“As much as I love Lord Sugar as a person and respect him, and how much I wanted that mentorship, I knew if I went back home and told my family if I had accepted that, there would have been heartbreak in their eyes. They’ve seen my journey.”

The final of The Apprentice 2024 airs on Thursday 18th April at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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The Apprentice star Claude Littner disagrees with Lord Sugar’s choice of 2024 winner

Bbc show’s former aide shared his honest view after finale aired, article bookmarked.

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The latest series of The Apprentice has come to an end, with Lord Sugar picking his next business partner – but his former aide Claude Littner disagrees with his decision.

On Thursday (18 April), the 18th series of the BBC reality show drew to a close after a tense penultimate episode that saw one candidate essentially reject a place in the final .

*Spoilers follow – you have been warned*

The finale pitted piemaker Phil Turner, 37, against gym owner Rachel Woolford, 28, with Sugar ultimately deciding to start a professional collaboration with Woolford.

Sugar’s decision saw Woolford become the fifth woman in a row to win Sugar’s £250,000 investment,and the second year running Sugar has invested in a fitness business, after going into business with boxer Marnie Swindells in 2023.

One person who does not think Sugar made the right choice, though, is Littner, who used to appear alongside the tycoon and Baroness Karren Brady in the boardroom until he was forced to step down due to an injury .

Littner met both Woolford and Turner for the interview stage of the process, where he put them both through their paces after placing the microscope on their business plans.

After the finale aired, and Woolford had been named this year’s winner, one viewer wrote to Littner on X/Twitter: “I think I would have picked Phil the pie maker.”

Littner responded : “Me too. If I could get comfortable with his management style and ambition to grow the business. I would have pushed Phil to get concessions in leading retail stores.”

The show’s former aide also replied “Me too!” when a fan said they were “disappointed” by Sugar’s decision, but he acknowledged “flaws were exposed” in Turner’s business proposal during the interviews.

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His comments hint at what appeared to be a sticking point for Sugar when it came to Turner.

During the final boardroom showdown, when Sugar urged Turner to ditch a proposed delivery service in favour of opening more stores, Turner told the tycoon: “I do really appreciate your perspective on that, and I take your sentiment about profits, but for me, there’s more to running a business than making profits.”

Sugar was unimpressed by this comment, replying: “Not really. Sorry, Phil, that is a dangerous statement. Let’s cut the c*** – we’re in business to make money. Well, I am anyway, and if you’re not in business to make money, you’re going to be no good for me, that’s for sure.”

Littner, writing on social media, called Turner’s comment “a shocking faux pas”.

However, Turner eventually appeared to renege, telling Sugar he was “absolutely willing to listen” to him if he chose him to be his business partner. But it was too late for Turner, with Sugar stating: “It’s very, very hard for me. I’m having trouble here, but my gut feeling is telling me that Rachel, you’re gonna be my business partner.”

Woolford told Sugar: “I absolutely won’t let you down.”

The Apprentice will return to BBC One in 2025.

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Lord Sugar's The Apprentice winner named in battle of gyms vs pies

The business mogul has chosen the latest candidate he wants to invest in as the 2024 series draws to a close..

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

What did you miss?

Lord Sugar has picked his business partner for 2024 in The Apprentice final, where he had to choose between fitness or pies.

Rachel Woolford's boutique fitness studios went up against Phil Turner's family pies empire but Lord Sugar opted to go with Woolford's gyms as his latest investment.

The final also saw the traditional return of the previously fired candidates as they were split into teams to help the finalists pitch their business plans to industry experts.

What, how, and why?

Rachel Woolford has been named as the winner of The Apprentice 2024 as Lord Sugar chose her gym business North Studio to be his investment from this series.

Woolford went up against Phil Turner, who lost nine tasks in a row during the series, and his family pies business Turner's Pies as Lord Sugar asked his finalists in the boardroom: "Do I choose to make people fitter or make people fatter?"

He eventually decided to go with Woolford's boutique fitness studios and back her plans to expand from Leeds and Harrogate into Newcastle, York and Manchester.

Lord Sugar told the finalists: "This is a very tough decision, I’ve got to say because I’ve got two very, very credible people in front of me.

"I’ve got Rachel who claims she’s making money and that she’s going to make even more when she gets the second gym up and running but gyms are, with all due respect, two-a-penny.

"Specialist pies are not and it’s a market that I’m very interested in, but how can I be interested in it if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel? There’s a loss-making business at the moment which you tell me is going to turn around and be okay and that’s my dilemma."

He continued: "It’s very, very hard for me. I’m having trouble here. But my gut feeling is telling me that, Rachel, you’re going to be my business partner."

Woolford follows 2023's winner Marnie Swindells, who got Lord Sugar's investment for her gym chain Bronx Boxing Club, but says her chain is unique because each studio will have a small, local feel with a nightclub vibe to classes and juice bars on site.

From her winner's taxi, Woolford said: "To take part in the process has been incredible and to come out a winner is just something beyond my wildest dreams. I was 24 years old when I started North Studio. I was just a girl from Leeds and now I cannot believe it, I’m going into business with Lord Sugar and he’s investing in me."

Commenting on the result, one viewer wrote on X: "Gym beats pies. Not in my house it doesn't."

Another viewer wrote: "A very worthy winner. Congratulations to Rachel." While someone else agreed: "Rachel was the most impressive candidate throughout the series, she worked hard for that investment and it was really an investment in HER."

But someone else added: "Kinda wanted Phil to pull it off you know we all love an underdog story to comeback and win it after 9 losses would have been mad."

What else happened on The Apprentice?

Turner's downfall in the final was linked to his keenness to expand the delivery side of his family's business.

His company has more recently started to offer a "pies by post" service that Turner was keen to focus his energies on and which was the main feature of his business proposal.

But industry experts at his presentation advised against it because of high costs for the customer, while Lord Sugar told him that it was a "bad idea".

However, the final nail in the coffin came when rather than taking on board Lord Sugar's advice about dropping pies by post, Turner told the business guru that running a business "isn't all about making profits".

One viewer commented: "Think Phil shot himself in the foot in that final grilling." While someone else agreed: "Phil dug his own grave in the boardroom."

Another person wrote: "Methinks Phil talked himself out of an investment by refusing to back down on the posting of pies!"

The Apprentice full series streams on BBC iPlayer.

Read more: The Apprentice

Fired Apprentice candidate explains why he boldly refused Lord Sugar’s business offer ( Independent, 3 min read )

Where are The Apprentice winners now?

The Apprentice's most explosive boardroom showdowns

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The Apprentice 2024 winner revealed: Did Rachel or Phil win Alan Sugar’s investment?

Pies or gyms find out here….

The Apprentice is over for another year, and the winner has been revealed! After a gripping finale, it emerged that Rachel Woolford was selected  to be Lord Alan Sugar’s new business partner, taking home the incredible £250,000 investment for their business. 

Speaking about the win, Rachel promised she wouldn't let Lord Sugar "down" while fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, also had their say. Taking to the social media platform, one person wrote: "THE RIGHTFUL WINNER OF THE APPRENTICE 2024!! YESS RACHEL," while another person added: “I felt throughout this whole episode that it was so edited for Phil to win. Felt that for the last few episodes but so glad Rachel won the show.” Do you think that Lord Sugar made the right choice? 

The episode, which was in turn hilarious and tense, saw the return of the rest of the competitors as they helped Phil and Rachel create an ad campaign for their businesses and pitch their idea. Fans were delighted to see the return of the contestants who left the show early on, including Phil’s fellow pie man Paul Bowen, and fitness coach Sam Saadet. While Phil's business was the extension of a family-owned pie company, Rachel's was to open a branch of boutique gyms in the north of England. 

The penultimate episode previously left viewers in shock after Alan fired Flo Edwards and Tre Lowe, despite them being the favourites to win the competition. He also fired Dr Paul Midha after trying to broker a deal for 50 per cent of Paul’s current, successful dentist business, when Paul wanted Alan's investment to open a second location. 

Viewers of the series were initially shocked to learn that Phil had ultimately made it to the final despite being on the losing team for almost every task throughout the show. 

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Taking to Twitter/X to discuss, one person wrote: “Phil lost 9 tasks,came with a picture book,parents business and he might actually win,” while another person added: “I am untethered and my rage knows no bounds at Phil getting through to the final.” 

A third person added: “If Phil wins The Apprentice tonight after losing that many tasks it’ll be completely outrageous. If I was any of those other candidates in that top 5 I’d be fuming.” Phil has poked fun at the criticism on TikTok, and replied cheerfully to comments on his latest videos. After one person commente: “But seriously HOW?????” He replied: “Simple, don’t get fired,” with the hands making a love heart emoji. 

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The apprentice fans in hysterics over show’s 'cataclysmic failure' in latest episode, the apprentice fans in uproar after lord sugar's latest firing, why did shannon martin make shock decision to quit the apprentice , the apprentice viewers have already chosen their winner after episode one.

The Apprentice 2024 names finalists

The Apprentice spoilers follow.

The Apprentice has revealed its two finalists as Tre Lowe, Flo Edwards and Paul Midha became the latest contestants to exit the boardroom.

This week's (April 11) episode saw the return of the dreaded interviews and the final five had their business plans scrutinised by Lord Sugar's trusted advisors.

Related: The Apprentice fired candidate misses You're Fired interview

"Yeah, we're gonna get grilled, and rightly so, at the end of the day. There's £250,000 at stake," said Tre, on the way to the interviews.

Mike Suter, Linda Plant, Claudine Collins and fan favourite Claude Littner returned to interrogate the contestants, picking apart their business plans and CVs, and delivering harsh truths.

As always, Mike snapped up domain names to highlight the contestants' oversights. Meanwhile, Linda told Paul she didn't like his scrubs idea.

Related: Bill Bailey's new reality show has one thing The Apprentice needs

The final five (Rachel Woolford, Tre Lowe , Paul Midha, Flo Edwards and Phil Turner) were truly put through the ringer, being reduced to tears towards the end.

Back in the boardroom, Lord Sugar consulted with his advisors. Flo was praised for being "bright" but her overzealous business plan was criticised. It was advised that Paul pitch another business, closer to his field of expertise – which he took into consideration before reentering the boardroom.

Rachel's passion didn't negate her risky numbers, while Tre's projected figures were equally unrealistic. Finally, Phil, who holds the worst boardroom record this series, was advised to adjust his pie prices.

Related: The Apprentice 's Ollie addresses big premiere mistake

After a thorough boardroom discussion, Tre was fired by Lord Sugar, being told "Your business is not up my alley", but was asked to keep in touch. Flo was next to be fired, also being asked to keep in touch.

In an unconventional twist, Rachel and Phil were told they would be finalists. Paul admitted he wouldn't be able to agree to the terms of the deal, as Lord Sugar wanted 50% partnership in his existing and proposed businesses. He became the final contestant to be fired and was also told to stay in touch.

In the taxi ride home, Paul said: "it's incredible to come third. I've learned so much from Lord Sugar, Karren and Tim, and it's been such a pleasure to be on the other side of the table from them."

"It's the pies versus the gym," joked Rachel on her ride home with Phil.

The Apprentice airs on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One, with spin-off series You're Fired airing immediately afterwards on BBC Two.

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Meet Lord Sugar's Apprentice finalists as pie shop owner and family man Phil Turner prepares to go head-to-head with northern gym bunny Rachel Woolford to win the mogul's £250,000 business investment

By Sarah Packer, Chief Showbiz Reporter

Published: 09:04 EDT, 12 April 2024 | Updated: 09:32 EDT, 12 April 2024

View comments

Lord Sugar has chosen his Apprentice finalists – as pie shop owner Phil Turner takes on fitness entrepreneur Rachel Woolford in a bid to win the business mogul's £250,000 investment.

And it's set to be a close competition after Phil, 37, pitched his family-run company, Turner's Pies, which has been past down through generations since the 1930s, and Rachel, 27, came in strong with an offering of her fitness boutique North Studio.

The pair have been chosen by Lord Sugar and his aids baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell after undergoing a gruelling 12-week process and Thursday night's tough interview round, where their proposals were picked apart by business tycoons including Claude Littner .

Father-of-two Phil, who has a disastrous record after losing eight out of 10 tasks, hopes to win over Lord Sugar with his Sussex based pie shops, after saying his 'biggest inspiration' in life are his hardworking parents.

As a keen marathon runner, Rachel aims to outperform Phil during the show's final with her fitness studio, which offers her clients a range of classes from reformer Pilates to yoga. 

Lord Sugar has chosen his Apprentice finalists – as pie shop owner Phil Turner takes on fitness entrepreneur Rachel Woolford in a bid to win the business mogul's £250,000 investment

It's set to be a close competition after Phil (pictured with wife Theresa) pitched his family-run company, Turner's Pies, which has been past down through generations since the 1930s

As a keen marathon runner, Rachel aims to outperform Phil during the show's final with her fitness studio, which offers her clients a range of classes from reformer Pilates to yoga 

Phil explained during his interview with Claudine Collins that his parents are his biggest inspiration, saying working with them has taught him to appreciate the sacrifices they have made, which he hopes to pass onto his own two children.

Holding back tears, he said: 'I definitely think my mum and dad are my biggest inspirations. Standing there in a close environment working day in day out for them for a few years I started to really appreciate how much work they have done and how much they have scarified.

'My appreciation for them as parents and people went threw the roof, just speaking about this makes me feel warm inside.

'Family means everything, after having children it really starts to put things into perspective, you think, what am I leaving my children, what legacy can I leave? As I get older, I'm starting to realise that.'

And Phil admits he couldn't have achieved the success he has today without wife Theresa, who he affectionately nicknames 'Tree.'

Phil and Theresa were childhood sweethearts after they met in year seven at school and now the couple have been 'happily married' for almost 11 years.

He said filming the Apprentice, which sees candidates live in a north London house away from their families and have restrictive contact with the outside world, was the 'hardest' two months, especially for Theresa, who managed the businesses in his absence.

Writing on Facebook, Phil, who owns five pie shops, said: 'For those of you that know me personally, I'm sure you would agree that Tree is by far the better half of our partnership.

Phil has been married to his wife Theresa for 11 years after they met at school in year 7, with the businessman crediting his success to the support of his life partner

Rachel has proven her dedication to fitness by running marathons, completing events in the likes of New York, Chicago and Berlin as well as climbing Kilimanjaro 

She aspires to open more fitness studios in northern England, targeting women who aim to stay trim and feel part of a community

Phil and Rachel will face Lord Sugar's final challenge next week as they pitch their business plans to industry experts in the hope of securing his lucrative investment

The pair were ecstatic after being told they were in the show's final, narrowly avoiding Lord Sugar's firing during the penultimate boardroom

'Giving up her dream job to raise our two amazing children and support me to follow my dreams is something that I sometimes take for granted but will be eternally grateful.

'Tree and I met in year 7 at school and quickly became friends and partners a few years later. This June, we have been happily married for 11 years. Like every couple, we have our moments, I mean imagine having to put up with me for 20 years…

'Being away filming for two months last year was one of the hardest things as a family we have ever been through and especially for Tree, as she took on a lot of my responsibilities and had no one to make her laugh.'

Phil faces gym owner Rachel in the final, whose ambition is to franchise her gym brand in northern England.  

She was grilled by Claude during her interview, who said her business plan failed to give him any understanding of the money her company is making. 

Rachel has proven her dedication to fitness by running marathons, completing events in the likes of New York, Chicago and Berlin as well as climbing Kilimanjaro. 

Share or comment on this article: Meet Lord Sugar's Apprentice finalists as pie shop owner and family man Phil Turner prepares to go head-to-head with northern gym bunny Rachel Woolford to win the mogul's £250,000 business investment

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BBC The Apprentice 'fix' row erupts as Lord Sugar's final two sparks outrage: 'Has the WORST record!'

WATCH HERE: Lord Sugar grills Phil in the Apprentice semi-final

By Alex Davies

Published: 12/04/2024

Updated: 12/04/2024

Lord Alan Sugar has chosen the two budding business moguls to face off in the finale

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Several The Apprentice viewers were left dumbfounded on Thursday evening after witnessing which of the remaining contestants were booted off the show at the final hurdle.

In the penultimate episode of the series, BBC viewers got to see Tre Lowe, Flo Edwards, Dr Paul Midha, Phil Turner and Rachel Woolford all face the intense scrutiny of the interviews stage to see how their business proposals stood up.

The show has already faced its fair share of criticism so far this season , especially given contestant Phil sailing through week after week despite being on the losing team more often than not.

In the end, his track record didn't appear to matter as Phil and his pie shop business plan sailed through to the final, despite fumbling over the numbers of his plan following an intense grilling from Lord Sugar's pal Mike Souttar.

However, Phil appeared to tug at the heartstrings of fellow interviewer Claudine Collins when he delved into his reasons for starting the business and opening up about his family.

Lord Sugar decided Phil should face boutique fitness studio owner Rachel in next week's finale after gathering the final five in the boardroom - and while the pair were elated, fans at home didn't share the same joy.

The Apprentice final five faced the interviews on Thursday

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, following the outcome, one fan fumed: "Oh Phil’s bl**dy pies, this is such a fix #TheApprentice."

A second echoed: "How the f*** has Phil pulled this one off? I don't like calling it a fix...but it has definitely been fixed #TheApprentice."

"FIX get Phil off my telly #TheApprentice," another blasted before a fourth fumed: "Phil quite possibly has the worst record in the #TheApprentice , 9 losses 9 weeks straight, and he's in the bl**dy final??? FIX."

Elsewhere, a fifth hit out: "Can't believe Phil is in the final. 9 loses and 1 win. If he wins, it's definitely a fix for sure... #TheApprentice."

The Apprentice's Phil and Rachel were chosen as the final two

And a sixth brutally surmised: "This has been the biggest fix this year! All the tasks were pointless. #TheApprentice."

However, the Apprentice finalist did received some congratulatory messages after securing his spot in the last two.

One fan argued on the social media site: "Phil the legend has made it to the final #TheApprentice."

Before a second celebrated: "Let's go Phil! Not wanted a contestant to win it so much, seems like a genuine nice guy #TheApprentice." (sic)

After bagging a spot in the final as the penultimate episode of the series drew to a close, Phil revealed to viewers just what the opportunity meant to him.

Speaking to his fellow finalist Rachel in the taxi home, Phil said: "I am so excited.

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The Apprentice's Lord Sugar sparked a 'fix' row with his decision

"I can't actually believe what just happened," he added, to which Rachel replied: "What the hell?! I am in shock.

"I genuinely cannot believe that. It's the pies versus the gym," she added before sharing a laugh with Phil.

The final of The Apprentice airs on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.

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