I thought the 'carries a lot of weight' joke was quite loaded. Karen does worry endlessly about her weight, and Nick is far too skilfull a player not to realise the double entendre. I think that was his way of saying that AS had gone for Karen's recommendation on who to fire. Later he admitted that he thought the Noble Lord had got it wrong. Interesting.

I don't know about Nick, but it's clear that you don't.

Also, it's Karren, not Karen.

Sorry about the spelling. I do rate Karen, actually, particularly her early career which was awesome. I also think she always talked a lot of common sense when she did the Apprentice interviews and I like the fact that she has often championed the feisty women. Actually, it's because I rate her that I would like her to make more of her appearance.

She writes some good pieces, too, showing a sensitive side. However, I'm not convinced that The Apprentice shows her at ther best.

I thought his comment was just a bit odd too penelopesimpson, but one thing is for sure: Karen is not overweight, not fat, nor in any way ugly or unattractive! Im not male but the comments sometimes on this forum about her are pathetic. (No one on this thread ) Does she really have weight issues?! God I feel for her if so, I mean what is she a 14? Some people... If that was really Nick being a prick too then god help me.

Nick seemed very odd on 'You're Fired' tonight, other than that comment, which I agree seemed loaded. Perhaps Countdown is having a strange effect on him?

Agree, Karen has a great figure. But she writes a monthly column for Woman & Home and not a issue goes by when she doesn't share her dieting problems with us.

I think maybe Nick felt the teeniest bit put out that AS had taken Karen's recommendation for who to fire. I don't see much rapport between him and Karen, and he is more confident now that he has Countdown and other irons in the fire. Just thought it was an odd little comment - and isn't that what we're here for, to put them all under the microscope?

Exactly. I feel for Karen then, I think actually Karen needs a bit more self confidence somehow. Apparently Nick is quite poor on Countdown. Maybe he does connect with her very well and knows her "problem" and was joking, knowing that she'd laugh, who knows! All I know is that edgy "vintage" stuff drives me crazy. I live near that area and probably fit the target market but grr its a old broken phone! Anyhow

I didn't think he meant "weight" like that at all, but as soon as he said it realised the double entendre. It's easily done. Whatever else he is Nick isn't "bitchy". Jokes about women's weight are far more likely to be made by other women I suspect, especially when the woman concerned isn't overweight, just not fashion model material.

Nick is just bitter because he misses Margaret and Karren did replace our Margaret

I miss Margaret AND I worry about my weight.

Interestingly enough, Nick and Margret didn't get along before the apprentice. Don't think Margret as a lawyer liked Nick's (a PR man) recommendations to Lord Sir Super Darth Sugar.

I don't think there's anything behind his comment other than trying to be ammusing (which he was). I think they get along fairly well, and I think as a PR man he'd have more sense than make such a public comment if he didn't get along with her as I can't imagine infighting going down well with HRH Sugar (can I just call him Alan?!)

I used to like Nick as he was rarely heard and was known mainly for his facial expressions

I actually cringe seeing him try and joke like this and present Countdown

True. I do think there's a bit more of the devil-may-care about him lately, though. Now that Margaret has finished her PhD do you think she would ever come back?

It’s surely not part of Nick’s job description to be anything but business like with Karren. It’s to Nick’s credit the relationship he has with Karren is unspecified and for those who miss and want to see Margaret again she’ll be joining Nick in dictionary corner from Monday, 16 April.

Thanks for that. There is something about the two of them together that I like.

Nick is great. Can't stand Brady. Bring back Margaret!

As long as Karren wants the job I can't see her being given the boot, and I can't imagine there being 3 assistants (what would be the point?) or 2 females (or males for that matter) as that (1 male & 1 female assistant) was something they've always wanted.

However I do see her coming back more and more in another role. I think she'll always been in the interview rounds and perhaps in a couple other tasks in some shape or form.

I've gone off Nick a bit now. He's become more of a 'celeb' himself over the years - and unlike Margaret he clearly likes being in the limelight. I thought his remark about Karren was a bit off. It sounded like he was peeved that Lord Sir Sugaryness rated her opinions.

I think he does have less of a rapport with Karren than he did with Margaret; indeed, he's implied as much before. I think that was partly down to Nick and Margaret being closer in age. But I don't think that means he's bitter or hostile to Karren. Clearly he did disagree with her about Jane, but people disagree all the time without personal animosity.

Karren is carrying a bit of extra weight. Nick made a good point.

Karren is purely a bitter, jealous, snidy b1tch who makes unpleasant comments about others with a sneer on her face. She has nothing useful or constructive to offer. She has got worse and worse. Presumably because the candidates are younger and slimmer than she is.

You may have to consider protective custody if a poster by the name of Allafix on the Karen needs a makeover thread reads this...

Like Nick, don't like KarRen at all. No siree.

I saw Margaret on Countdown today! She was reunited with Nick! All we needed was Sir Alan doing the letters and numbers!

Nice to see Margaret again and the rapport between them remains apparent “It feels wonderful and relaxed being on the Countdown set," Mountford said. "It is fun to be with an old friend with such a dry sense of humour and nice to check up on how he's getting on in his new career. He may think he'll be in charge..."

Nick Hewer has brought a rating boost to Countdown. Viewing figures are already up 22% on last year's average audience since Nick took the helm in January, with his debut as host warmly received by fans and television critics alike.