The first episode of The Apprentice aired tonight, with Bilyana Apostolova the first casualty of the boardroom. We couldn't wait to speak to Young Apprentice's James McCullagh to get his views on the firing.
Here, James McCullagh exclusively gives his views on all the new candidates — from gobby Bilyana to the quieter Katie.
"Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum Dum… I should really go on The Voice- I'm really good at singing The Apprentice theme tune. IT'S BACK!
Before I talk anymore- I have been thinking, at the end of The Young Apprentice, Zara was Hired. I wasn't fired. I wasn't told to leave. And you didn't see me leaving the boardroom. So really I should still be sitting there with my messy hair waiting on Lord Sugar to tell me where to go….but I took the hint and came back to Ireland.
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Back to this episode.
We get a few minutes of classic "Apprentice lines"- all of which I absolutely LOVE. Then we are back in the boardroom. At this stage the memories come flooding back and I'm sitting watching like a sentimental old sod, balling my eyes out thinking 'what could have been' — I'm joking don't worry…
Lord Sugar, Nick and Karren were as hilaire as ever / BBCNext to name the teams. The boys take 2.3 seconds to name their team Phoenix and Jenna had a dream that she should call the girls team sterling- for that I would have fired her on the spot- but I'm sure she's lovely.
So the boys make rubbish bags but sell well- that's the thing about The Apprentice- you always have the chance to save yourself with sales.
The girls make some great products but don't sell so well. Bilyana needs a satnav- she walks the rest of the girls so far out of the way I think they walked past my house here in Northern Ireland.
James McCullagh (right) appeared on the last series of Young Apprentice / WENNSo let's cut to the chase, the boys won (because they sold well) and the girls (with their better product) lost.
Project manager Gabrielle brings Katie and Bilyana back to the boardroom. No surprises there. Bilyana says far too much, including the fact that she was head girl- wow just based on that YOU'RE HIRED! Series over. No. She gets fired.
I do think Bilyana had definite strengths but she talked herself out of it- a bit like me in the final. Unlucky Bilyana. My 3 favourites, Gabrielle, Ricky The Wrestler and Jane are still in. Roll on next week. Dum De Dum De Dum De Dum…
Gabrielle is one of James' favourite candidates / BBC