I just can't see anyone else coming close now - he's been on the winning side in the majority, if not all, of the tasks, seems to be universally popular, has a good management style and Sugar seems to like him.

Unless something disasterous happens to him now, I just can't see any other winner this year.

That pungent arsehole Kemsely will have a pop at destoying him in week 11.

No, at the moment I also see Lucinda and Claire as serious contenders. I'm thinking Claire may come out as the winner, as SAS seems to like her and she has shown that she listens to what he says.

Who??

The odious cretin who does the interviews in the penultimate week

I think we need to see him as PM again before I would be 100% sure but if you pushhed me know he would be the one I would choose.

I just have this very big worry that if you look at the sort of people that siralan has hired before he may well choose Alex who lost in week one and then has pretty much kept his head down and only finished on the winning team twice in 8 weeks which is a pretty poor record.

I thought the guy was a tosser when it started, but he is actually alight and does have a bit of accumen

I would like to see Raef emerge triumphant but somehow I doubt he will.

I fear his downfall will be the interview stage.

should I call the fire brigade?

(Sorry couldn't resist )

Thanks, is he the one with the funny facial hair?

If you mean an 'orrible unkempt stubble, yes.

I do think Claire is a strong contender as well - Sugar likes people who prove themselves after a bit of a dressing down.

Also think Lee could be in with a shout for some reason. Which is annoying as it means we'll have to put up with constant cries of "That's what I'm talking about" every five minutes.

Unfortunately I agree with you there.

just googled not the one I was thinking off. Do they have the same interviewers each year?

I'm really looking forward to this episode, although that will mean the apprentice is nearly over

I think yesterday's task proved him not to be at the standard of Lee, Lucinda, Claire, or Alex when it comes to selling. Nice guy and probably good to work with, but he was found wanting on this task and had they lost, he'd have definitely been fired.

I really want Lucinda to win. It'll be a victory against bullies and will give belief to millions of people out there who have their confidence undermined regularly by overpowering colleagues/classmates etc. She's risen above it and is shining above the rest now, a genuine role model in so many ways.

He is too posh to win.
But I like him.

Yes, I had grown to like him but he was a waste of space in this task. From the minute he said pompously that he was "anti-marriage", he really didn't contribute that much, and might as well not have been there at the NEC. Even his efforts in the bear costume, though amusing, were rather half- arsed.

I understand he wasn't tasked to sell? I suppose his job was to bring people in to their booth that's why he donned that bear costume as well. Regardless, it was his choice of product that made them win. Give credit where it's due (and that he also owned to the fact that most of it would be his fault if they hadn't won).

There is absolutely no way Raef will win.

Sorry!

He will be fired before the final 4.

My predictions stand at

Week 9: Michael Fired
Week 10: Claire Fired
Week 11: Raef Fired

I just didn't see the genius in going for the expensive, designer dresses. It was the obvious choice considering the requirement to maximise takings for the day. They only had to sell a couple, whereas the other team needed to sell about eight to keep a level pegging.

If you go to the NEC for a wedding show, there's likely to be two obvious facts about you:

a. You're fed up of seeing the same stuff in your local High Street and are seeking some original designs/material.

b. You're clearly prepared to spend good money. If you weren't, why make the effort to travel to the show?

It was a complete no brainer and so rather than compliment Raef on having common sense, I feel that Helene should have been fired and made to hang her head in shame.

You overestimate common sense in shows like The Apprentice. It's never in abundance.

I think Lee, Claire and Lucinda are all equal contenders, we've a few weeks to go yet.
Also SurAllun is not fond of post people so that may go against him?

lol, that is true.

I fear Raef will trip up before the final week

he's my favourite, but I've got a horrible feeling that there's a shock on the cards