Category: TV Ent
Date: 05.05.2005
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After a gruelling and intense 12 week job interview process, Sir Alan Sugar has finally found his Apprentice... Tim Campbell, a former transport manager for London Underground from East London.
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In the final episode screened last night on 91Èȱ¬ TWO at 9.00pm, the two finalists were whittled down to just one winner and Campbell (27) was crowned the victor of the hit show.
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He walked away with a £100,000 year-long job contract with self-made tycoon Sir Alan Sugar.
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An ecstatic Tim said: "I tried to do the best in every single task and I gave 100 per cent. My aim throughout the whole of this was to just get the job.
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"I didn't want to be a TV star. I didn't want to be a Big brother-type contestant, I just wanted to better myself and do better for my family and make my mother proud and I think I've done that."
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Tim's personality, business acumen and determination have won him an army of fans throughout the 12 week run, including the notoriously hard-to-please Sir Alan.
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An 'East End Boy Made Good' like Sugar, Tim has overcome family poverty and discrimination, and in the face of intense competition, has won the coveted position of The Apprentice.
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Sir Alan said: "I had in front of me some of Britain's best prospects - but there were also some of Britain's best losers, too.
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"It was a tough decision, but Tim is a great fella and I think I've chosen the best of the bunch.
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"I've found my real apprentice, someone who can handle himself, handle other people, remain calm and someone who has a great learning ability. He's got it and that's what I need."
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The runner up was Saira Khan who admits: "I am really pleased for Tim. Throughout the course of the last few months I have worked with him quite closely and he's become a really good friend.
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"I'm sure it was a hard decision for Sir Alan but I think he's chosen the right person for the job that he's got in mind.
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"The show has been a great experience for me and I have learnt a lot."
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The 91Èȱ¬ confirmed that The Apprentice has been recomissioned for a second series.
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The new series for next year, made for 91Èȱ¬ TWO by Talkback, will see the winner land a top job with Sir Alan Sugar.
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Roly Keating, Controller, 91Èȱ¬ TWO, says: "The Apprentice has been a huge hit. In a very short space of time it has become one of the most talked about shows on television and the feedback from the audience has been fantastic.
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"The programme is part of 91Èȱ¬ TWO's drive to find fresh approaches to business programming and - along with Dragon's Den, which also gained momentum and impact throughout its first series - proves that audiences have a real hunger for programmes that reflect the cut and thrust of the business world in exciting new formats."
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Jane Lush, Controller, 91Èȱ¬ Entertainment Commissioning, says: "I'm thrilled that this mix of business and entertainment has captured the imagination of the audience who would never normally choose a programme centred around the skills of business, watercooler TV at its best.
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"A second series promises more firing, inspiring and eventually hiring for a fresh bunch of would-be entrepreneurs battling in the boardroom to survive the longest job interview in their lives."
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Daisy Goodwin, Editorial Director, Talkback and Executive Producer of The Apprentice, says: "I'm delighted that the series has been recommissioned.
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"It's a triumph for entertainment programming with real content and proves that audiences want more than just wall to wall celebrity.
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"It's good news for people who want to learn about business and I hope it inspires as much as it entertains.
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"We're very lucky to have such a highly charismatic figure in Sir Alan Sugar who has, over the weeks, become somewhat of a national treasure."
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The Apprentice is a Talkback production for 91Èȱ¬ TWO.
Executive Producer: Daisy Goodwin. Series Editor: Peter Moore.
The Apprentice is based on the hit series devised by Mark Burnett.
