THE Apprentice hopefuls not only face intense scrutiny from Lord Sugar in the boardroom but they’re at the mercy of viewers too.
Each series accusations are levelled at the contestants that some are more interested in fame than landing a huge investment in their business.
But in the eyes of last year’s finalist Tré Lowe, 50, that is pure nonsense.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun on behalf of 10bet, he said: “I think it’s a silly accusation because if they were, they’d probably try Love Island. You wouldn’t go onto the hardest reality business show on TV, you just wouldn’t.
“I don’t think anyone goes on The Apprentice for fame. The problem is the process is so rigorous that you just wouldn’t get through.”
Business owner and noughties music star Tré knows all too well the hoops that need to be jumped through to make it onto the show calling it a “serious process”.
Some 50,000 people are said to put themselves forward for the programme each year and yet only 18 are successful – and that’s before the main game even begins.
He said: “There are lots of different challenges along the way. Some of them are practical in nature. Some of them are more psychological in nature.
“You need to know your numbers, you need to know your business. You need to be able to answer these questions.
“I think if you’ve got 50,000 people it gets whittled down to 18. That’s serious that is. Not to put down Love Island. I actually love Love Island, I think it’s brilliant.
“I think the prerequisites for Love Island are quite simple. You have a bit of a personality, you have a six pack, you have a nice body and you’re kind of good to go.
“Whereas this, they go into looking at your business, they’ll go into companies house. They’ll go as far as contacting suppliers and all sorts of stuff to really check that what you say you are is what you actually are. It’s a rigorous process that I think most people wouldn’t be able to go through.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Watch the moment The Apprentice contestant makes shock return to show – a year after being fired” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368194697112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“That’s why I have so much respect and admiration for anybody who gets on the show. Whether they go out in the first round or they win the final album, so much respect for them.”
Inevitably, the contestants receive a huge attention boost from their association with the show, picking up lots more followers online and media bookings.
But in a world where followers are currency, Tré believes it’s only natural that the contestants would seek to raise their personal profiles.
He said: “I think you can never get away from fame stuff because people do need the oxygen of attention,” said Tré. “I don’t think there’s any entrepreneur that would say no to attention, why would you not? Especially now when a lot of entrepreneurs are known for their personality.”
As for his own experience, Tré credits the exposure the programme gave him with helping him launch and grow his Sobo Club company, which puts on events for entrepreneurs.
“I am shocked by how much The Apprentice has helped stuff that I’m doing,” he said. “It’s been amazing.
“We were lucky enough to have Tim Campbell come and do a talk with us. We’ve had Linda Plant come and do a talk with us. It’s just been great, building this entrepreneurial community where everyone supports and nurtures each other.”