Sun Jul 10, 2011 2:51 pm
Apprentice candidate Tom Pellereau's business is reportedly in debt and making a loss.
M&P Consulting - which specialises in giving advice about designing, prototyping, manufacturing and supplying to inventors - has debts of over £15,500 and made a loss of £1,215 last year, the News of the World reports.
"This is a huge embarrassment for Tom. He's tried to keep this a big secret and hid it during the show," a source said.
"When Lord Sugar realises this, it won't reflect well on Tom. He may make out he's a successful businessman, but the figures speak for themselves.
"Tom saw The Apprentice as an attempt to boost his business career. He's just hoping that Lord Sugar will take a risk on him and see that he's got great potential."
A friend added that Pellereau is "confident" the company will be profitable soon and that he is "determined" to win the £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar.
Pellereau survived another visit to the boardroom on Wednesday after teammate Melody Hossaini was fired.