Lord Sugar quits Apprentice winner Alana Spencer’s business just three years after her triumph on the BBC1 show
WHEN Alana Spencer won the 2016 series of The Apprentice, Lord Sugar seemed the perfect ingredient for her cake brand, Ridiculously Rich. Now, with a new line up of contestants about to be unveiled for the upcoming series, the tycoon and the entrepreneur have parted ways. A TV insider said: “Alana has now bought back […]
WHEN Alana Spencer won the 2016 series of The Apprentice, Lord Sugar seemed the perfect ingredient for her cake brand, Ridiculously Rich.
Now, with a new line up of contestants about to be unveiled for the upcoming series, the tycoon and the entrepreneur have parted ways.
A TV insider said: “Alana has now bought back all of Lord Sugar’s shares in Ridiculously Rich and she is now the sole owner and director of the firm.
“The luxury, hand-made cake company now supports almost 50 franchisees across the country.”
The parting of ways seems amicable too.
Lord Sugar — who pumped £250,000 into the business — said: “I will follow Alana’s progress with much affection.”
And Alana said: “The knowledge and advice gained from Lord Sugar and his team in the early stages of the business has been invaluable.”
The 2015 winner Joseph Valente also flew solo with his plumbing business after two years with Lord Sugar, with no hard feelings.
If only the boardroom firings could be so civilised.
How others fared
- Tim Campbell, 2005: Left Lord Sugar to start Bright Ideas Trust to help young entrepreneurs.
- Lee McQueen, 2008: Left Lord Sugar to set up a digitial media firm with peer’s son, Simon.
- Stella English, 2010: Lost a fight for constructive dismissal from Lord Sugar’s IT firm Viglen.
- Leah Totton, 2013: She and Lord Sugar co-own chain of Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS’ BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Abigail’s partying (again)
SHE showed off her dancing in 1977’s Abigail’s Party, and 42 years later Alison Steadman has still got some moves in upcoming BBC1 drama Life.
The Gavin & Stacey star cut some shapes to the sound of Demis Roussos in her role as Beverley Moss in Mike Leigh’s landmark TV play.
In the new six-part drama, by Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett, she plays Gail – a woman still living life to the full as she approaches her 70th birthday.
The veteran is perfect for the role and still rocks a maxi dress.
bizbit
HOST Tim Lovejoy had to apologise to his Sunday Brunch viewers yesterday after Gyles Brandreth, a guest on the live Channel 4 show, talked about raunchy Love Islander Maura Higgins’ infamous “fanny flutters”.
Keith’s a crafty fellow
KEITH Lemon is not the sort of chap you would associate with woodwork and sewing.
But that’s just what the outrageous Celebrity Juice persona, created by Leigh Francis, will be doing in new C4 show The Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft, where entrants will knock up epic art and crafts pieces.
He will oversee the six-part series with Anna Richardson.
Leigh, a graduate of Leeds College of Art who put together props for some of his early shows, said: “I’ve always had a love for making things, drawing and painting.
“I am also a very good dancer.”
must watch
WHAT? Crime and Punishment, Channel 4, Monday 9pm.
WHY? This insight into the criminal justice system starts with the case of two men who could spend life in jail despite relatively minor crimes.
Notes of tension
THE gripping Hollyoaks storyline involving a far right group will reach its peak this week.
Ste Hay has been groomed by Jonny Baxter and Stuart Sumner – and his actions are about to have a serious effect for the Maalik family.
Viewers should listen out for the soundtrack.
Hollyoaks has teamed up with Love Music Hate Racism, which bring communities together using music.
bizticker
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- Chris Ramsey says Joel Dommett opened reality TV door for comics
BBC has vision of Euro hit
AT the height of Brexit chaos, the UK finished with just 16 points in the Eurovision Song Contest this year – our worst performance in almost a decade.
Now bosses at the BBC are so determined to turn around our fortunes in the 2020 competition they’ve teamed up with music giant BMG.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
They’re hiring the songwriting team who created Someone You Loved for Lewis Capaldi and George Ezra’s Shotgun to hopefully provide a winning tune.
UK entrant Michael Rice sang Bigger Than Us in May’s contest, which was staged in Israel, but sadly finished in last place.
Maybe we should just go for a cover of D:REAM’s Things Can Only Get Better.
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