So we're on the verge of series 6 and by the time the Series winner signs on at Sugar HQ, he'll be the only Apprentice winner working there

Tim Campbell left pretty quickly

Dewberry left with the obvious personal issues

Ambrose quit this year to move to the London Contemporary Orchestra

Lee McQueen quit to be a motivational speaker

Yasmina is on Maternity leave after knocking off another Sugar employer

It's one long TV soap opera that ultimately leads to nothing.

The publicity from the programme is at times worth more than winning it.

The job he provides is generally crap, comparitively to Trump, I mean...hospital info screens?!

Is it becoming a bit of a farce?

I don't even understand his business, he doesn't seem to do anything major.

He must have done something. He has earned millions.

He's got more than one company and is worth around £750million so he must be doing something right.

And as far as past winners, not heard that any have left disgruntled, and with ambitious people employed via the show, don't think any go in with the idea that they will be there forever - it's a stepping stone for them in a career developmental sense.

His main assets are rental properties now, which may explain why Simon Ambrose stayed the longest of any of the Apprentices as that was his interest/skill set.

True! At the end of the day most candidates realise money isn't everything and you don't want to work for someone else all your life, esp if you an apprentice or entrepreneur . Ultimately they want to work for themselves and enjoy what they whilst making money. Shame it takes them that long to realise it.

Next year it will all change though as he is investing 250K into a new company to be run by the winner of the apprentice which is a far better idea IMO.

Exactly. Who wants to be a miserable gravel faced little weasle in love with making money above all else.
A six figure salary isn't everything to most people. You can live comfortably on a lot less.
The idea for next year is better. Hospital screens must have been quite boring.

Trump - you are going to manage the construction of a huge 50 floor office and apartment block in the heart of Manhattan worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Sugar - you are going to sell plasma TV screens to put up in doctor's waiting rooms.

It really doesn't compare does it?

Lee completed his contract and moved on.

I think Stella won't get knocked up (unless she wants more than two kids) and I think Chris will see out the year at least which is what the job offer is for.

I think they've all stayed on good personal terms with AS haven't they - possibly apart from Michelle? And most have stayed longer than a year.

As far as Yasmina being pregnant goes, I don't think it's that unexpected if you employ women they'll take maternity leave, and I haven't heard anything to suggest that Alan Sugar resents women taking maternity leave. If anything, he comes across as someone who prides himself on encouraging women to develop business skills.

Anything other than a farce ?

Yes - its a TV SHOW. Entertainment! For which LS puts the prize money up.

The winner may or may not benefit further in their career as a result of 'winning the show', which is an added 'prize' but essentially thats all we're watching.

LS's companies must hire at all levels on a regular basis. These hirings aren't televised. "The Apprentice" is what it is.

The publicity (and all publicity is good publicity) is easily worth £100K to Lordalan. Primetime BBC for weeks on end. Front pages of magazines and newspapers. All over the web.

Cheap at twice the price.

i remember hearing somewhere that Alan Sugar didn't particularly like women going on maternity leave so early in their careers at his company. He openly said he would love to ask women what their family plans are, when interviewing, but can't because it's against working law or something.

edit - found the link

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ing-woman.html