I think Alan sugar likes the guy, and he does seem to like the ordinary bloke who doesnt pretend to be something he is not as Ben did!
Surely there have been weeks now where Alan sugar could have fired James and chose not to, James is also very good in the board room and fights his corner.
I think this latter point catches other candidates off guard because they see him as a bit of a joke and nothing more.
When he keeps coming back from the boardroom surviving, their faces are a picture, this week lorraines face fell flat and kate was convinced he would go.
A guy like james is going to have a great chance in the interview process if he gets that far, some of the interviewers are looking for no BS just tell them about YOU and what you bring and dont be someone your not.
James will come across very well in this process and wont get peoples backs up.
He is being underestimated by the others and they may realise too late what a threat he is.
He may be a joker but the fact he comes across as likeable will go a long way, alan sugar has told debra about her manner and also ben and lorraine, he fired phil and listed his arrogance as his downfall.
Dont be surprised if james gets to final.

Love James. Hope he goes all the way but I think Kate has it in the bag....we shall see though.

Good post.

I think James is the most genuine out of all of them and would be easily moulded etc., I don't see him wanting the publicity from the show just the job in hand.
The interview will be interesting.

I agree with what you say, noneshallpass.

I really like James and would love it if he at least got the final 2, that'd be a great final, James + one other.

I was saying to my OH last night when they were in the boardroom that Sr'lan must see something in James when he (as you say) keeps on keeping him in there. James seems to have a really good job and is well-liked in the real world, so he must have a lot going for him (as well as being a comedy classic). I think Sr'lan definitely recognises this.

Go James!

I fricking love James - but I can't see him winning. In fact, I don't actually want him to win. But I am thrilled that he's got as far as the shopping channel task. James + QVC has to equal funniest episode of the series. I cannot wait.

James is too entertaining to 'win' some boring job in Suralan's office. The victor gets buried under a pile of old Amstrad tat and we never see them again. If ever a candidate was deserving of a media career, it's James.

I adore James, much like I suspect Margaret does, but I don't see him winning, but I'm glad he's got to the shopping task, and I hold out high hopes for the interview stage.

A really lovely bloke, naturally very, very funny and someone I could happily work with, hard working, team player and someone with the ability to listen. I still feel bad I had him down as a potential serial killer during the first task

Serial killer lol the looks he gave in some early episodes were classic he could give margaret and nick a run for their money

I am not someone who wants james to win purely on comedy value, that would be wrong on all the others left, but he ant bebad at his job if he has held down a job that requires good skills and and an ability to show management and certain ruthlessness.
And sir alan must know deep down under the funny james there is a hard worker.
Its why he is giving him the chances to shine, he knows its there in james.

Good point about the publicity thing, I think too many try and look good on camera and try and be someone else their not, james wouldnt care about that, you can see the willingness in him to do whatever is asked and whether he says the right thing or speaks before engaging brain he gives things his all.
I like the guy and so does sir alan

James and qvc I just cant wait

I really like James, he's been consistant and honest throughout the series and he hasnt tried to pull the wool over anyones eyes. He comes across as geniune, enthusiatic, eager and his analogies are legendary!

As for whether he could win, I think he could but mainly because I remember there was loads of speculation (before the series started) that due to the recession they were changing the style of the program? That they werent going to support being so flash, aggressive and back stabbing? And James reflects this, he gets along with everyone and demonstrates that you dont have to be a w*nker to get along in business.

On the whole tho, I dont think the calibre of contestants has been particularly high this year. But then it looks like there wasnt exactly a lot to choose from! http://tv.sky.com/video-the-apprentice-rejects

James to win? You're having a "tin barf" as SirAlan would say.
Didn't the Sid James lookalike call him a village idiot a couple of weeks ago.
I wouldn't employ him as a lollipop man let alone an exec.
Affable he may be, useful he aint.

isnt the finale filmed 1 week before airing?

Even as an affirmed James fan, he's played to the camera more than anyone this year apart from Ben. It would not surprise me at all to see him take up a media career afterwards. That's by no means an insult - I thought the same thing about James from series 1 and Ruth from series 2, who were both my favourites.

I don't think he's in with a real chance of winning (0-2 as PM, no real stand-out performances, high probability they've been planning a female winner since casting for balance) so I'd say go for it. He'd be a good, low-nonsense, likable, tv business consultant.

OMG.....What type of person applies for the Apprentice but does`t know what a "loss-leader" is......or can`t define "net profit".......They should have asked them if their current accounts were in the "red or black"....Simple question but know doubt one or two of them would have looked blankly at the camera.

I really like James, but he's got no chance.