Search This Blog

vrijdag 11 mei 2012

'Apprentice' Lord Sugar cans another candidate in graffiti task

'Apprentice' Lord Sugar cans another candidate in graffiti task

Apprentice candidate Laura Hogg has become the eighth contestant to be fired from this year's series.

The Scottish bridal shop owner was sent home by Lord Alan Sugar after making just £750 commission in this week's urban art sales challenge.

Hogg was part of Team Phoenix, who brought in a total of £4,442, including a £2,000 commission obtained from corporate client Renault by project manager Tom Gearing.

However, the Gabrielle Omar-led Sterling were able to bring in £4,579 despite failing to win a commission from Beefeater Gin, triumphing in the task by a margin of £137.

In the boardroom, Gearing was forced to take the blame for losing profitable artist Pure Evil due to what Nick Hewer called "a lack of a real desire to represent him". He was also scolded for choosing work by James Jessop instead, which was deemed too expensive and too large for buyers and failed to sell.

Gearing brought Hogg back into the boardroom after discovering that she sold the least pieces at their gallery. He also selected Jade Nash, arguing that she was indecisive about the move to represent Jessop and Bristol-based artist Copyright.

Lord Sugar immediately expressed his doubts about Hogg, saying: "Maybe you're just not a good sales person, maybe you're just not a good business person."

She responded by fighting off accusations from Gearing that she took a "backseat" in the challenge and declared: "I am a very good sales person, I just didn't work smart last night."

In his final summary, Sugar blamed Gearing for the "two massive big flaws" that cost Phoenix the task - the loss of Pure Evil and the selection of James Jessop. He then told Nash that she made a "big error" by not pushing forward an alternative artist when they lost Pure Evil.

However, he then turned to Hogg and said: "You think you're a good person, you're certainly a good talker. I'm not totally convinced that you should remain in the process so Laura - you're fired."

Speaking after her departure, Hogg admitted: "I'm feeling pretty gutted at the moment, especially since I am so confident in my own sales ability and I can't believe that's what sent me home."

The Apprentice continues Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.