At the moment here's how I see it...

Big characters :

Debra
Phillip
Lorraine
Ben

Secondary characters :

Kate
Yasmina
James

Obscure types :

Howard
Mona


So out of the first list who will be the first to get the boot and how soon do you think it'll be? So far all of the 6 that have been fired have been those that didn't really stand out.

Judging by Sir Alan's 'village idiot' comment James will be in trouble the minute he's in the losers team, sadly, as he's actually rather likeable as well as entertaining. Mona is vulnerable (and rightly so) soon too.

I think out of your big 4, Ben will be first. I don't mind him, but he's been called into the boardroom 3 (or is it 4?) times now, and ultimately thats not just bad luck.

I think Sir Alan was actually praising James. I took it that he was saying 'don't think James is an idiot, because he isn't one'. (In You're Fired, it was implied that that was what he had meant as well). And Sir Alan was clearly surprised that Ben initially chose James to take into the boardroom; it was very clear that he did not think James should be brought back. Which would suggest to me that he is unlikely to fire James, unless James makes an almighty cock-up.

I agree about Mona - surely she will be gone soon!

Out of the four big characters (or as I call them, three obnoxious sods and Lorraine), I'd say Ben is just hanging in there. Sir Alan does not like him, and Ben was a terrible team leader.

Michael from last year? How many times did he end up in the boardroom following a miserable performance and walk away? He even managed to survive Raef who, apparently, hadn't put a foot wrong prior to his final trip to the boardroom.

I think the order of the 'big 4' will be Ben goes first, then Phillip, then Lorraine, then Debra (I have a feeling she will be in the final).

Agreed - Debra is very similar to Saira, Ruth Badger and Claire Young before her. Bossy, big-mouthed, speaks first and thinks later, but most astute remaining candidate with the clearest business head on her shoulders. And going by Saira, Ruth and Claire's final position, she'll finish runner-up. Probably to Kate. The best candidate, but not what Sugar is looking for.

I think the contenders are Kate, Yasmina and Lorraine.

I don't see either Debra, Ben or Phillip as possible winners for very obvious reasons - they just don't seem to have the personality traits that AS looks for in his apprentices - ie. good manners, civility under pressure, or a facility to get on with other people in a professional manner.

But whether ot not they'll be kept in for entertainment value is another thing. I'd hate to see someone like Lorraine or Yasmina being sacrificed at the expense of Ben or Phillip.

James is the only male I can see as a contender. Very decent guy, could surprise us.

Hopefully Phillip with Ben following him very quickly!

I think ben will go first could be lorraine though

That's pretty much my thoughts. Kate, Yasmina and Lorraine could go far I think. Out of the men - only James (who I would love to see win) and Howard seem to have much ability. Philip and Ben just think that if they shout the loudest, people will listen to them.

Of course those four fall into two distinct groups: Ruth and Claire, and Saira and Debra; the former two rubbing people up the wrong way because they were right, and the latter two just rubbing people up the wrong way because they think it makes them look right. I'm still amazed Sir Alan fell for that act with Saira even after she was extremely rude to that guy she should have been trying to butter up at Tottenham Hotspur.

If we're making comparisons to Ruth and Claire, the interesting one's Lorraine. But that's probably not kind...

As for the premiss of this thread, it would be no loss to see Ben, Debra, and Mona go. Kate evidently sees something in Philip, and we know it's not his oscular abilities , so he might not be a total waste of space. So I'm sure that'll be the top four, given Sir Alan's track record...

Ben or Philip, don't care which, just make it soon Sir Alan!