As far as I am concerned anyone of the final four could win the show next week. None of the remaining candidates have stood out and each has strengths and weaknesses. I can't isolate one highly impressive performance throughout the series and we have 4 above average finalists with little seperating them. You could have swopped Gabi for Ricky and Adam for Jade and I don't think there would be much difference and would have had both down as possible winners in that final line up.

This for me makes the final very interesting as there is no one there making up the numbers. I think Tom and Nick are more likely winners than Ricky or Jade but only by the slenderest of margins. I use the phrase more likely winners rather than stronger candidates. It's been that type of series and no one has stood out.

It's been an lukewarm series but for once the final could have any winner and that will make it the highlight of the series. That might be the case for the majority but personally I normally find the process and the actual interviews the high point rather than the final which is often very predictable.

Actually I think they are 4 average finalists. I didn't rate Jade until today (as Nick pointed out), I've not seen Nick to anything but play a clever game, Tom.... Tom is always highlighting his own expert knowledge, but I don't see him do anything decisive. I think Ricky's the best of the remaining bunch actuallly.

I agree, in a way it makes the finale more interesting. I hope there are some proper business plans unlike the amateurish crap that was offered last year, and the person with the best one wins whoever that may be...

Average or above average. Not a big difference between the terms really and becomes abit to focused on semantics. The general point is there is little seperating the remaining candidates and any of them could win which is very much in keeping with the series so far IMO.

Jade to win!!!!

Until now I think a lot of people thought it was foregone that it'd be either a Tom or Nick win, but part of me wants to root for Jade and Ricky. Jade because she really showcased herself well after a disastrous first turn as PM, and Ricky because he's been on a cruise of awesome after taking Stephen down a peg in the boardroom.

Sadly, I think Tom is just a bit too cold and lacks the decisiveness, and Nick lost the opportunity to push for an idea that could have made him the front runner.

Good summary. Tom's strong on the analytical side of things and he's calm and is good at planning and putting a good case together but he's weak on creativity. Nick's similar but lacks the assertiveness to push his point across when in the minority. Jade's turn as PM was the single worst performance of the series but she has improved and Ricky is a decent candidate. All in with a chance.

It's certainly an interesting final 4 as it seems so up in the air and Jade has made a complete turnaround. I thought nothing of her until tonight's show and I was very impressed in her boardroom tenacity as much as her addition to the task. Adam and Nick were light weights in both imo. I did think Nick was good but this episode has shown he's just managed a good game. I wouldn't trust such a person with any money of mine.

Ricky was my favourite and I'd be ok if he won but as much energy and nouse as he has he does seem to flounder in tasks. Tom is all played out as far as I can see.

For me its close between Ricky, Tom and Nick. Really can't see Jade winning she seems to be really unlikeable

Well, Stella did win the show in series 6


(unlikeable amongst the other candidates, I mean)

I forgot about that I still can't see Jade winning though I think she's too loud whereas Stella wasn't

I think Stella would still be a far stronger candidate all round than someone like jade

I agree though all 4 have a chance and it's very difficult to call

Pros and cons of everyone so far:

Nick: Not persuasive enough to push his point in the team even if he knows he's right. But he's got the best record and everyone clearly likes him as an all round nice guy. He always 'gets the plot' and seems quite reliable and honest.

Jade: A little indecisive and clearly not great at always understanding the task and strategising effectively. The others also don't seem to rate her highly. However she always comes across with a lot of passion and her creativity has shone through on many tasks. She has some valid points when she speaks in the boardroom.

Ricky: A little too arrogant at least initially and had two PM losses, although not really down to him. I get the feeling he'll put down anyone to get through and he's more ruthless in that sense than the others. Despite many earlier errors however he's clearly listened to the feedback and now seems like a strong candidate. He's excellent at pitching as well and is very articulate. Also a good seller.

Tom: Lacks a little creativity and can sometimes take too big a risk although Karren said LS saw this in a positive light. Hes shown great leadership skills and sticks to his decisions. He's great at numbers and at understanding the business side. He's also always dignified in the boardroom. Lost his way a little in the latter part of the series but still think overall hes one of the strongest candidates across the whole show.

I think LAS will be a bit trepidatious in choosing another battleaxe female candiadate as Stella is now suing him for constructive dismissal. Im a specialist in employment law and can say she has a good case too.

If Jade has the best business plan and does well in the interviews then good luck to her I say its just I think LAS may be cautious.

Anyway, actually none of this really matter anymore - even if you're the best candidate based on the tasks by a mile, if your business plan is no good (and if you don't have something else that Lordalan wants to invest in, ala Tom P.), he's not going to make you win just to seem fair. At the end of the day he's a businessman and will invest his money accordingly, not because it would make sense with the way the tasks on the show have unfolded, especially since they have little in common with RL business which is why, at least now that it is about an investment, I think all finals are destined to be wide open

I'm glad the final is wide open. I was critical of Jade's performances over the last few weeks but on the last task, she really held her own. So glad that Margaret is back. Let the blood bath begin!

It all depends on what is in those business plans they have to produce at the beginning of next week.

Helen went into the final as most people's favourite due mainly to never being on the losing team, and being perceived as "the best", whereas it was clear from the outset of her interviews that she had no credible business plan. Her idea was rubbish to start with, and her facts and figures were even more so. She was VERY lucky that LS actually let her be the runner up over Susan, who whilst her plan was flawed, at least she had a viable business already running which she was looking to improve. The fact that LS has subsequently invested in Susan's skin are business would support that!

Nick has been the "Helen" of this year in terms of the best record on the show, and escaping the final boardroom until the last task. He has already got a couple of businesses which seem to be doing OK , as does Tom, so in theory, they should be able to put forward more coherent business plans as they are already in business for themselves and have had to seek outside investment before. The other two as employees, probably haven't got that experience to draw on as they are grilled by the interviewers (can't wait to see Claude get his teeth into Ricky and Jade).

At the end of the day, LS will go with whoever has the business plan that he wants to invest in.... He was clearly interested in Tom and Susan last year, and has invested in them, and he ,wasnt at all interested in what Jim and Helen offered up.

I still think it will end up between Tom and Nick unless Jade or Ricky has the best idea since sliced bread!

Very funny article on the final 4 in the Guardian :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...who-should-win