Tom seems to be either highly rated or properly slated on these forums, and I have a theory as to why that is.

I think it might be an age thing... let me explain.

My theory is that the people who like Tom are a bit older and, having had a fair bit of life experience, understand that his less obvious qualities are very valuable in business. They've worked with enough highly competitive, selfish shouty people to be heartily sick and tired of them and realise that someone who is quieter and comes across as decent and hardworking is a far more efficient business person than one who spends much of their time and energy being shoutily competitive..

In contrast, those who don't rate Tom are probably younger, are still very much in that shouty "Me, me, me" competitive mindset and don't (yet) see that you can be very efficient and good at your job without having to continually show off to be heard above all the other younger shouty types.

I think younger people sometimes mistake 'leadership' for shouting your mouth off, which is understandable but, in my opinion, erroneous.

Anyway, that's my theory - let's put it to the test. Those of you who particularly like and dislike Tom, roughly what sort of age are you?

For the record, I rate him and am, in age tems, what you might describe as 'mid-career'.

20, and if he wins, I will lose all respect I had for the show

37 and though I think he should have been out in the Paris task week without even bothering to go through the Boardroom part, I like the way he has come through after that.

I'm young and I really like him.

While I agree leadership is a lot more than shouting at people and saying "I'm the boss" (Natasha style), Tom has no leadership qualities to speak of, though he has finally come out of his shell in recent tasks. He's a contributor, and a very good one, but I can't see him running a business.

Not all young business people are shouty "me, me, me" types. I think candidates behave like that because they think they need to copy Lord Sugar to please him. Their pre-show comments are all about their passion, being the best and beating everybody else. As soon as they get into the tasks they are much more co-operative, only reverting to "me, me, me" in the boardroom.

If I hear one more candidate talk about their passion I think I might stop watching the show altogether. Trouble is even the gurus on You're Fired talk the same nonsense. They seem to confuse passion with enthusiasm and drive.

22. I like him very much as a person, and I think he does have business skills that he perhaps hasn't been able to demonstrate in The Apprentice, but in the context of the show, he's a complete disaster & it would make a mockery of the process if he were to win.

52, and neither "rate" Tom, nor dislike him.

I think he would be competent in business with LAS, but am more inclined towards Susan as someone with drive and energy.

I love him and I'm 20.

25 - I don't rate Tom in this competition. Certainly with the old prize he would have been gone weeks ago.

15 and behind him all the way! He doesn't suit the process at all, but I think in terms of the prize on offer he's one of the more credible candidates.

22 and love him. The prize on offer on this series is different to the others. On that basis alone, the person they're looking for is someone different. In Tom, you have a fantastic ideas man - he's not just a number cruncher, he's someone who can come up with sellable concepts. Saying that, we've set to see his business plan.

Reading some of the posts in this thread, it looks like your theory is beginning to unpick itself. Be wary of making stereotypes like the one in your OP because it can make you look more of a fool if said theory starts to become unstuck.

23, want Helen or Tom to win.

Susan 3rd.

Jim dead last.

How old is Tom anyway? They're seldom over about 30 are they, despite many of them looking much older.

He's 31 (about the same age as Helen and Jim).

I'm 50 and Tom is my favourite candidate. He doesn't need to have "leadership qualities" for the role on offer - he needs to go into partnership with Lord Sugar.

Was once told that there are two types of people in business (and actually in life in general) - one walks into a room and shouts, "well, here I am." - whereas the other walks in and says, "aah, there you are." Tom is definitely the latter kind. Whilst people reckon that the "here I am" types are the most important and will have the most success - it has been proved time and again that the "there you are" types are the sort that people actually want to work with, and therefore are more successful.

Your being a bit bias really.

Obviosuly you like Tom and are possbily older

Im 16 and I don't like him because he hasn't really done anything memorable to be honest apart from tell people what they should have done, nice guy though.

I want Susie Ma to win all the way!! . I want Helen in 2nd and Jim/Tom can be interchangeable

Thought he was about 38

I'm 33 and I think he's delicious!

I'm 32 and think the same, I just hadn't thought he'd be a toyboy!

Tom's an introvert, which isn't a bad thing as many captains of industry are so no reason why he can't be successful without being full on

I dont rate him, i am 30.

He is only getting support because people like him, because they see him as a bumbling inventor... he is likeability but his record and his generally uselessness indicate he should not be any where near this final.

I'm 23 and I love him.

I think all throughout the process he's been making astute observations, but the nature of the programme and the majority of the candidates has meant that he has been constantly overshadowed by the 'big' personalities with the loudest voices. He's also been a team player, rather than going all out to big himself up, which is very credible.

I think he'd be a good leader, with a team of the right people. The problem with TA is that you're not having to lead a team of people who have been employed for a role, you're having to lead a team of people who want to do the leading, and as a result don't like being told what to do.

I think a lot of people would much rather work under Tom than, say, Melody.

I don't think one's age comes into how we rate Tom. I agree however with the OP that it is not necessary to be loud and bombastic and overdoing the energy and enthusiasm act to be successful in business. Unfortunately those who thought otherwise have already been Fired. I suspect Jim will suffer that fate and learn the lesson on Sunday!
In the Partnership with LS, the forceful side (if needed) can be left safely in the hands of LS leaving the Apprentice to quietly come up with sound and successful ideas/plans etc. Could be a Partnership made in heaven!

He actually reminds me of a mellower version of my Art Teacher lol

16 and don't rate him at all