LUCINDA - Had to go, once her uncertainty and doubt about really wanting the position was revealed. It reminded me of the Katy Hopkins fiasco last year. I suspect she was only ever after TV exposure.
I think Sir Alan thought - the moment the going gets tough, Lucinda will get going. In actual fact though, I think Lucinda was a major irritant to SAS, and he never had any intention of employing her. Anyway, I'm sure I detected relief on her face when SAS fired her. This was the Katy Hopkins scenario, all over again. SAS can certainly sniff em out.
ALEX - Useless. Keeps playing on his youth. Still can't see how he is this so called brilliant salesman ? He was quietly seething during the interviews - thought at one stage he was going to self destruct. Don't think SAS rates him.
CLAIRE - Will SAS be swayed by Karen Brady offering Claire a job ? Claire has got sales ability though. Trouble is she likes to talk a lot, a considerable drawback, since the tone and speed of her speech delivery is annoying. It has a patronising quality, whether intentional or unintentional. She's toned it down, but I think it's an act. I don't feel she is a team player either, it would be her way - or the highway !
LEE - Lee lied on his CV about his education. Doesn't that make him untrustworthy ? His comment that he had shown throughout the process that he was a worthy candidate, in spite of this lie, may have just saved him...... for now. Also, one of the interviewers backed him up, by admitting to a similar offence.
I fear SAS may have already discounted him for lying, and his dinosaur impression and sly wink, didn't help matters either. Personally, I would have opted for Lee, if pushed.
HELENE - The " I've had such a hard life " trick, fell on deaf ears this time. SAS was duped by that one once before, by the girl who beat Ruth Badger in a previous series. As I recall she rapidly turned out to be a dud. Helene is no saleswoman, by her own admission, and hasn't got any other abilities that I've noticed. I have a suspicion she could be a really nasty piece of work, if she doesn't get her own way.
Is it me, or was Sir Alan seriously considering firing the lot of them ? I'm sure the thought pased through his mind, more than once !