Most people seem to think Helene was very ''up herself'', so to speak, but I got the distinct impression that some of her exaggerated aggression (in arguments etc) both disguised and reflected a poor self image. Her show of self-belief didn't seem very convincing to me.

This is just the impression I got. Anyone else?

Yes, exactly. I thought that she did seem rather insecure and misunderstood - it seems that business is the only thing in her life!

I thought the same. I don't think she was aware of it though. She projected her feelings about herself into criticism about other people.

She certainly seemed out of her depth on the programme.

Glad I'm not the only one. I thought everyone would disagree!

I agree. I also think that the bad press she received was totally out of proportion to what we actually saw of her on the show. The mauling she received on "You're Fired" was painful to watch (even apart from the whole Lucinda thing).

Yes, I thought she was treated rather harshly.

I'm not a great Helene fan, but I don't see the need to lay into her the way many have done.

yes definitely. it was apparent in the way she was very aggresive to the girls like lucinda, both in the tasks and in the boardroom...but when it came to the boys she just backed down. like the way she was to alex- all oh i would have picked you over the other two to work with if i had a chance. no way would she have said that to a girl.

its weird considering she makes a point of saying shes 'ballsy' and has succeeded in a male dominated environment...but in the show she was only ballsy to the weak women and went along with what the men said.

It was certainly very clear that she desperately wanted to win the series and that may have had some bearing on the way she behaved under stress.

This may well have been due to a self esteem problem.

Still, now she has proven herself by beating several thousand other candidates to get to the last four in such a fiercely contested competition she should have done her self esteem a great deal of good.

I thought she came off very well on YF especially the face of the onslaught from Lucy.

She could easily have got into a slanging match but instead maintained her dignity and did not sink down to that level.

Except that-in my view unfairly-the general public attitude to her has been incredibly negative..which won't help her

I think she does have esteem issues

Yes, exactly. I didn't particuarly take to Helene but I think she's one of those people who have had to fight for whatever they have, and so feels she has to continue that because it is what she is used to; she seems in particularly discomfort when faced with someone who she perceives to be weaker than herself in some way.

Cod psychology, I know, but that's the impression I got throughout.