The Apprentice (British TV series) series 3

The Apprentice
Series 3
Promo group shot of Alan Sugar, Nick Hewer, and Margaret Mountford standing amongst the candidates for series 3
Starring
No. of episodes14
Release
Original networkBBC One
Original release28 March (2007-03-28) –
13 June 2007 (2007-06-13)
Series chronology

The third series of British reality television series The Apprentice (UK) was broadcast in the UK on BBC One, from 28 March to 13 June 2007. Following favourable ratings of the previous two series, the BBC moved the programme from its original home on BBC Two to BBC One, with its companion discussion show The Apprentice: You're Fired! being reallocated to BBC Two from BBC Three.[1] For this series, Alan Sugar commented that its production would include "tougher tasks and better people" as a means of making the programme stand out from other shows like Big Brother.[2] Alongside the usual twelve episodes, the series also featured two specials – the first, titled "Beyond the Boardroom", was aired on 3 June prior to the eleventh episode; the second, titled "Why I Fired Them", was aired on 10 June prior to the broadcast of the series finale.

The series involved 16 candidates, with Simon Ambrose crowned the eventual winner.[3] Excluding the specials, the series averaged around 5.62 million viewers during its broadcast. The third series saw Sugar face accusations of sexism from several groups, later denying these claims.

Series overview

With viewing figures proving favourable since the programme's debut in 2005, the BBC decided that The Apprentice needed to be more accessible to a "mainstream" audience. In discussions between them and the production company, it was agreed that the show be relocated to BBC One, retaining its scheduling arrangements, while also requiring that its sister show, You're Fired, be moved over to BBC Two.[1] Work on the new series included Alan Sugar conceiving of tougher tasks, and recruiting more diverse candidates. Sugar believed that by doing this it would keep the show fresh, and thus avoid it becoming just another version of existing reality programmes at the time, such as Big Brother.[2] An example of this was having mixed gender teams from the beginning of the process, rather than first mixing them a couple of weeks in.

One of the biggest changes made by the production staff, besides the change of channel for episode broadcast, concerned the firing of candidates. With the show attracting a far greater number of applications for participation, resulting in staff conducting many more interviews, auditions and assessments, the decision was made to increase the number of candidates that formed the final line-up, while still limiting the series to twelve episodes. This change allowed Sugar to fire more than one candidate at any time before the Interviews stage. 16 applicants took part in the third series, with one team named Stealth, and the other named Eclipse. It is the first series to feature a candidate leaving the process despite having won a place in the next stage – the decision by Katie Hopkins to depart towards the end of the Interviews stage garnered considerable criticism over sexual discrimination in the aftermath of the episode's broadcast.

Of those who took part, Simon Ambrose would become the eventual winner of the series,[4][5] and go on to work at Sugar's property company Amsprop, overseeing development projects, before leaving Sugar's employment in 2010 to focus on setting up a restaurant business.[6] The move to BBC One proved to be a reasonable decision, as it led to a further rise in viewing figures for the programme during its broadcast, with 6.8 million viewers watching the series finale.[4][7]

Candidates

Candidate Background Age Result
Simon Ambrose Internet Entrepreneur 27 Winner
Kristina Grimes Pharmaceutical Sales Manager 36 Runner-up
Katie Hopkins Global Brand Consultant 31 Quit after Interviews stage
Tre Azam Marketing and Design Consultant 27 Fired after Interviews stage
Lohit Kalburgi Telecoms Manager 25
Naomi Lay Advertising Sales Manager 26 Fired after tenth task
Jadine Johnson Financial adviser 27 Fired after ninth task
Ghazal Asif Business Development Manager 23 Fired after eighth task
Adam Hosker Car Sales Manager 27 Fired after seventh task
Paul Callaghan Ex-British Army Lieutenant 27 Fired after sixth task
Natalie Wood Housewife 29 Fired after fifth task
Sophie Kain Quantum Physicist 32 Fired after fourth task
Gerri Blackwood Transport Development Manager 33 Fired after third task
Rory Laing Bankrupt Entrepreneur 28 Fired after second task
Iftikhar "Ifti" Chaudhri Company Director 33
Andy Jackson Car Sales Manager 36 Fired after first task

Performance chart

Candidate Task Number
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Simon IN LOSS IN LOSS LOSS IN WIN IN LOSS LOSE IN HIRED
Kristina LOSS IN LOSS IN WIN BR LOSS LOSS IN WIN IN RUNNER-UP
Katie LOSS WIN IN LOSS LOSS LOSS BR BR WIN IN LEFT
Tre IN BR WIN IN IN IN IN IN LOSE BR FIRED
Lohit IN LOSS IN LOSS BR WIN IN IN BR IN FIRED
Naomi LOSS IN LOSE IN IN IN IN BR IN FIRED
Jadine WIN LOSS BR IN IN IN IN WIN FIRED
Ghazal LOSS IN LOSS WIN IN LOSS BR FIRED
Adam IN LOSS IN LOSE BR BR FIRED
Paul IN LOSS IN IN IN FIRED
Natalie LOSS IN LOSS BR FIRED
Sophie BR IN LOSS FIRED
Gerri BR IN FIRED
Rory IN FIRED
Ifti IN FIRED
Andy FIRED

Key:

  The candidate won this series of The Apprentice.
  The candidate was the runner-up.
  The candidate won as project manager on his/her team, for this task.
  The candidate lost as project manager on his/her team, for this task.
  The candidate was on the winning team for this task / they passed the Interviews stage.
  The candidate was on the losing team for this task.
  The candidate was brought to the final boardroom for this task.
  The candidate was fired in this task.
  The candidate lost as project manager for this task and was fired.
  The candidate left the process.

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions) [8]
271"Coffee to Go"[9]28 March 2007 (2007-03-28)4.50
Sir Alan begins a new search for an apprentice from a pool of 16 candidates. Their first task is to sell coffee in Islington. Eclipse focus on using a mobile van and a fixed stand to sell coffee and sell well, despite some issues with the stock they purchased. Stealth focus on a similar sales strategy, yet their sales are hampered by poor marketing locations, an overspend on stock, and purchasing unnecessary products. Stealth's mistakes fail to achieve a higher profit than that of Eclipse, leaving them to face the boardroom. Of the final three, Andy Jackson becomes the first to be fired over his poor leadership skills.
282"Doggy Designs"[10]4 April 2007 (2007-04-04)4.98
Making bespoke dog accessories is the basis of the next task, with each team designing a new concept to pitch to retailers. Eclipse design a utility belt and secure orders, while also facing issues throughout the task with their team leader. Stealth opt for a dog wardrobe with a focus on pitching to the largest of the retailers they would meet, rather than attempting to pitch to all three. A tally of orders soon shows that Stealth's gamble was a worthwhile risk, as they secure victory while Eclipse face criticism over their performance. Of the losing team, Sir Alan deems two members to be at fault for differing reasons – Ifti Chaudhri is fired for a lack of focus and personal problems, while Rory Laing is fired for his behaviour and the decisions he made as leader.
293"Start-up Service"[11]11 April 2007 (2007-04-11)5.31
Each team is given £200 with which to set up a service of their choosing from a pre-determined list - one service during the day, and the other in the evening – and make as much profit as possible. Eclipse opt for a gardening service during the day and a pub-singing service in the evening, managing well despite having to cope with an aggressive leader. Stealth focus on a children's face-painting service during the day and a kiss-o-gram service in the evening, but face mismanagement on marketing locations for custom and criticism on the choice of evening service. In the boardroom, Stealth lose out due to their mistakes and performance on the task, leaving them to face scrutiny. Of the final three, Gerri Blackwood is fired for her overall performance and weak contributions in tasks.
304"Sugar Rush"[12]18 April 2007 (2007-04-18)5.68
Teams face the challenge of creating their own sweets, with each selling their concepts to visitors at London Zoo. Stealth create a range of chocolate lollies and fudge: while they price their goods highly to make more money, a manufacturing issue leaves them with less stock than planned. Eclipse focus on two kinds of lollies to sell, yet their effort is hampered by a mislabelling issue with one of the range they create, while a panicked rush to sell impacts profits towards the end of the task. A totalling of income shows that Stealth's pricing strategy was key to them securing victory, leaving members of Eclipse facing criticism over their loss. Of the final three, Sophie Kain is fired for her low sales, lacking a passion for business, and lacking proper business experience.
315"Fish, Lips and Horses"[13]25 April 2007 (2007-04-25)5.46
The teams represent an artist each, earning commission through selling their photographic artwork in an East London gallery. Stealth opt for artwork themed around horses and fish, demonstrating sophisticated sales tactics and performing well. Eclipse focus on artwork with a high price tag, but face questions over the layout of their gallery space, while their softer approach to selling attracts few purchases. In the boardroom, the results of each team's efforts reveals that Stealth's strategy was more effective, leaving Eclipse to argue amongst themselves over who was at fault. Of the final three, Natalie Wood is fired for lying about her contributions made as the project manager.
326"The Sausage Saga"[14]2 May 2007 (2007-05-02)5.68
Teams are tasked with selling British produce at a French farmers market. Eclipse focus on selling tea, smoked fish and marmalade, making strong sales with most of their selection thanks to gifted French speakers. Stealth focus on selling sausages, chutney and processed cheese, yet face issues with a lack of co-ordination and poor decisions by the team's leader. When totals are reviewed, Eclipse prove themselves at picking the right products for the foreign customers, leaving Stealth to debate over their mistakes on the task. Of the final three, Sir Alan fires Paul Callaghan for the many errors he made that contributed to his team's loss and not taking responsibility for these.
337"The 97 pence Victory"[15]9 May 2007 (2007-05-09)5.92
Sir Alan gives both teams a new shopping list of items to find, which they must find at the best prices possible. Eclipse struggle to find the items and suffer issues with rushing deals with little or no negotiation. Stealth negotiate well and demonstrate good co-operation. While neither team managed to secure all the items, their respective expenditure, combined with fines incurred for missing items, reveal a win for Eclipse. Of the losing team, Adam Hosker is fired for his poor organisation and leadership.
348"Brand-a Trainer"[16]16 May 2007 (2007-05-16)6.05
Given a new style of trainer, each team is challenged to create a unique brand for it, complete with a promotional campaign, and pitch their concept to retailers. Eclipse go for a "Street" theme and add a charitable angle to their brand, though face minor criticism in their pitch, despite a good campaign. Stealth create an urban music brand, but while the TV advert is well designed, their concept faces criticism over the unclear messaging in their promotional material. In the boardroom, Sir Alan grants Eclipse the win, after Stealth's concept is deemed to be of poor quality. Of the losing team, Ghazal Asif is fired over criticism of her attitude, lack of business skills, and her overall performance in tasks.
359"Feeling The Strain"[17]23 May 2007 (2007-05-23)4.99
Establishing a trade link between nations is the basis of the next task, as each team chooses a ground-breaking product from abroad, and then market it to British customers. Stealth choose items made in Canada that have a high market value, performing well despite delays in making sales. Eclipse choose items from Sweden and, while they perform well, they secure fewer sales and are fined for lateness upon returning to the boardroom, ultimately losing the task. Of the final three, Jadine Johnson is fired for lacking proper focus on tasks and for personal reasons she voiced in the final boardroom.
3610"Selling on TV"[18]30 May 2007 (2007-05-30)5.23
Selling on a shopping channel, each team is given an airtime slot to sell a selection of products. Stealth's selection includes chocolate fountains and slimming pants. While one member's product demonstration goes wrong, the team manage good sales. Eclipse's selection includes foldable wheelchairs and trampolines, yet face issues over product selection, poor communication, and an inadvertently humorous product demonstration that hamper sales. In the boardroom, Stealth clinch victory, leaving Eclipse to be questioned on their failure. Of the final three, Naomi Lay is fired for her product selection, lack of respect to superiors, and her overall track record.
37SP–1"Beyond the Boardroom"[19]3 June 2007 (2007-06-03)1.62
In this special episode, the fired candidates look back at their experiences on the programme. Along with them, friends, family and colleagues discuss the backgrounds and personalities of each respective candidate, with Sir Alan's aides, Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford also making an appearance.
3811"Interviews"[20]6 June 2007 (2007-06-06)6.06
After facing ten tasks as teams, the five remaining candidates now compete as individuals in their next task – a series of tough, gruelling interviews with three of Sir Alan's most trusted associates. Each member faces scrutiny over their backgrounds, work experience and performance throughout the process. Feedback to Sir Alan, alongside observations by his aides, leads him to fire Lohit Kaliburgi for his poor CV and background, and Tre Azam for his argumentative and immature nature in interviews. Of the remaining three, Katie Hopkins opts to leave of her own accord, rather than face having to relocate her family if she won, leaving Simon Ambrose, who received praise for his academic knowledge, and Kristina Grimes, who was given praise by all the interviewers, to progress to the final.
39SP–2"Why I Fired Them"[21]10 June 2007 (2007-06-10)2.46
As the final looms, Sir Alan takes a look back on the year's series. From the fiasco in France, to the most neck-and-neck win in the show's history, he relives all of the mistakes, doomed decisions, and other notable events that occurred during the process, providing his reasons for each firing.
4012"The Final"[22]13 June 2007 (2007-06-13)7.09
After facing a multitude of business tasks and a tough interview, the two finalists now face one more challenge – helped by fired candidates, each finalist must put together a proposal for a plot purchased by Sir Alan. Simon's proposal boasts an "organic" design for development on the site, while Kristina's proposal focuses on a design aimed at symbolising the regeneration of the site. Both proposals are well-received, leaving a tough decision in the boardroom. Sir Alan ultimately declares Simon Ambrose the series winner, due to his creativity, business knowledge and risk-taking strategy, leaving Kristina Grimes as runner-up.

Criticism

Sexual discrimination accusation

Towards the end of the third series, several organisations - including the Trades Union Congress, the Liberal Democrats, The Equal Opportunities Commission and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation - criticised Alan Sugar for perceived sexual discrimination. The accusations stemmed from the boardroom segment in the eleventh episode, regarding Sugar's line of questioning towards the female semi-finalists, Katie Hopkins and Kristina Grimes. While he probed them about their child-care arrangements and how they'd feel relocating their families if they were to win the competition, fellow male semi-finalist Tre Azam was not similarly questioned, with the groups accusing Sugar of being in breach of the 1976 Sex Discrimination act.[23][24][25] However, Sugar denied the allegations of sexism, citing that Hopkins and Grimes had been asked about child-care because both had disclosed in their applications for the programme that each was a single mother at the time and that Tre Azam was not asked the same question because he had made clear in his application that, while he was a father, he was also married.[26][27] In addition, Sugar argued further that Hopkins' decision to decline an offer to proceed into the final had been purely her own decision, and not influenced by anyone else or her status as a single mother.[28][29]

Ratings

Official episode viewing figures are from BARB.[8]

Episode
no.		 Airdate Viewers
(millions)		 BBC One
weekly ranking
1 28 March 2007 4.50 19
2 4 April 2007 4.98 16
3 11 April 2007 5.31 17
4 18 April 2007 5.68 10
5 25 April 2007 5.46 14
6 2 May 2007 5.68 11
7 9 May 2007 5.92 9
8 16 May 2007 6.05 11
9 23 May 2007 4.99 18
10 30 May 2007 5.23 12
11 6 June 2007 6.60 8
12 13 June 2007 7.09 5

Specials

Episode Airdate Viewers
(millions)		 BBC Two
weekly ranking
Beyond the Boardroom 3 June 2007 1.62 22
Why I Fired Them 10 June 2007 2.46 8

References

  1. ^ a b Day, Julia (25 August 2006). "Apprentice promoted to BBC1". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  2. ^ a b Robb, Stephen (3 April 2007). "Back in Apprentice's firing line". BBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
  3. ^ "Simon named as Apprentice winner". BBC News. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  4. ^ a b Schmidt, Veronica (14 June 2007). "Simon 'shocked' at Apprentice win". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
  5. ^ "You can reach goals with tough-talking". Evening Times. 9 July 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
  6. ^ "Apprentice winners through the years – and where they are now". Daily Star. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ^ "'Apprentice' final brings in 6.8m". Digital Spy. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
  8. ^ a b "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  9. ^ "Episode 1, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  10. ^ "Episode 2, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  11. ^ "Episode 3, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  12. ^ "Episode 4, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  13. ^ "Episode 5, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  14. ^ "Episode 6, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  15. ^ "Episode 7, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  16. ^ "Episode 8, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  17. ^ "Episode 9, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  18. ^ "Episode 10, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  19. ^ "Beyond the Boardroom, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  20. ^ "Episode 11, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  21. ^ "Why I Fired Them, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  22. ^ "The Final, Series 3, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  23. ^ Duffy, Marisa (8 June 2007). "Katie gone at last, but was the firing squad fair?". The Herald. Archived from the original on 25 June 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  24. ^ Russell, Ben (8 June 2007). "Sugar accused of sexism after apprentice quits". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 9 August 2007.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  25. ^ "All fired up". The Guardian. London. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  26. ^ Levine, Nick (8 June 2007). "Sir Alan Sugar accused of sexism". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  27. ^ Sherwin, Adam (8 June 2007). "Sugar faces sexism row as ex-Apprentice sells story". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  28. ^ "Sugar picks Apprentice finalists". BBC. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  29. ^ "Apprentice contender Katie fired". BBC. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
Wikiquote has quotations related to The Apprentice (UK).
Wikiquote has quotations related to Sir Alan Sugar.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.