Lord Sugar fires 'Apprentice' candidate after dating task

Jason Leech has been fired from The Apprentice by Lord Sugar, but left the process with words of praise and support after a dating website task.


Jason Leech and Luisa Zissman

Sugar described Leech as a "very, very nice fellow", but said that he had to fire him after he bumbled through this week's challenge.

Leech had initially taken the role of project manager for Team Evolve, but in an Apprentice first, abdicated at the end of the first day.

The gardening and croquet fan was ousted from leading the task by Luisa Zissman and Neil Clough. Zissman in particular complained continually about his efforts on the first day and she was later chastised by Nick Hewer for her behaviour.

However, when it came to the final boardroom showdown, Sugar opted to give Zissman a second chance.

"The decision here is that, Luisa, I'm very, very concerned that we're going to have more problems with you," said Sugar.

"And I feel that you brow-beat this fellow here. You wore him down. That's what worries me about you, are you just somebody that if they don't get their own way immediately, it's no good. I can see how you wore him down. You're not going to wear me down, I promise you."

Coming to his conclusion on Leech, Sugar added: "Jason, you're an academic, you've come here to chance your arm, but I'm afraid to say, it's the end of the road really.

"I do wish you very, very well, because you're a very, very nice fellow. And it is with regret that you're fired."

Seven candidates remain in with a chance of winning Sugar's £250,000 investment.

The show continues on Wednesday, June 26 at 9pm on BBC One.