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Who will face Lord Sugar's firing finger of fate?

SHOW STARTS:

They may think that they're getting a free holiday but this is going to be the hardest task yet!

Tonight the eight remaining candidates must represent two small British crisp companies who are hoping to break into the German market.

The teams must produce two new flavours of crisps and then sell to hotels, bars and restaurants in Hamburg.

With cultural clashes and language barriers to contend with, who will fill their order book and make it back to the boardroom with results?

Oh dear... both teams look dubious at the idea of 'making samples'. I'm not surprised considering their previous baking disasters!

Apollo: Baggs, Stella (PM), Jo and Laura start brainstorming flavours. They're going for a British theme and choose Sunday Roast as their first. Jo's trying to push three different types of curry but the others aren't going for it.

Synergy: Chris B (PM), Chris F, Jamie and Liz are thinking of more local flavours. They're going to research their choices in Hamburg. Good call!

'The brand' is counting to 20 in German in the car. Yeah, that'll help you sell crisps!

Off to Germany and I can see a clash coming.

Both teams realise that curry-wurst and paprika are two big sellers.

Jo tries to explain this to Stella but she's just not taking her on. She's busy making Aberdeen Angus and Yorkshire Stilton samples and chooses Stilton and Chilli-Beef to take with her moments after the call. She didn't even try Jo's suggestions - could this be a mistake?

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The teams regroup on Day 2. As well as the appointments made yesterday, Lord Sugar has arranged meetings with large manufacturers.

Project manager Stella is overshadowed at her first meeting at the Marriot Hotel. Jo seals the deal in seconds and even pushes to supply for 6 months rather than 3 - the manager goes for it.

While Jo is flying high, Laura pitches to a national foods supplier and it's an absolute disaster. He asks her over and over to go back and explain the pitch again. She's speaking so fast he can't keep up.

Chris's flavour choices are a flop. Everywhere the team goes they are met with shaking heads. One store owner doesn't like the flavours at all and another says they'd have no idea what they were. "If you hadn't told me it was Goulash, I wouldn't know!"

They continue to beat the streets trying desperately to fill their order books. This is all about figures at the end of the day...

Stella and her team are fighting amongst themselves. Laura is furious that Stella and Jo have taken an appointment she made with a major hotel chain. As they finished early they went straight there regardless of the fact that Stuart and Laura were on the way.

"So we have to go to this sh***y little independent shop now". It's an international distributor Laura - duh!

Laura adds that she would like to win but she doesn't mind if they don't as 'Stella doesn't deserve it'.

Chris's team have had a kick in the teeth too. They've visited the Marriot and the manager refuses to listen to their pitch as he's made a 'big order' earlier in the day. They know where that money's gone... Ouch!

THE BOARDROOM:

Lord Sugar asks how Stella did and after slating her earlier Laura keeps her mouth closed. Stuart thinks there should have been more structure and their ideas could have been considered but Stella disagrees and says she was happy with her decision.

Sugar leaps on Laura as her pitch is mentioned. "The feedback for you was it was 'rattle rattle rattle'... You went far too fast and that's one thing you have to consider when working with overseas buyers. It's a case of export English. You have to slow down and accentuate the details".

I wonder if that's bruised her sales as well as her ego?

It matters not... Lord Sugar hears the figures and Stella's stars (or should I say Jo) wiped the floor with Synergy by 2 thousand pounds! Over 19 thousand pounds worth of orders and the multi-millionaire is more than impressed.

Nick Hewer even takes the time to commend Jo personally. "I was most impressed with your pitch and by the end of it, you were really firing on all 12 cylinders!"

Synergy must return to the boardroom to plead their case. I feel for them to be honest as they had the right idea with the flavours, they just didn't taste right. More market research should have been done with their original samples.

Chris B knows it doesn't look good. This is the sixth time he's been in this position.

Lord Sugar points out that they were lacking in organisation and enthusiasm. Not only did they manage to book just 6 appointments but he adds that Jamie and Chris had the chance of 'a 9 o'clock' with the hotel chain. They could have sealed the deal that Apollo took and it was worth £5000.

Chris B can't believe what he's hearing. "I had no idea that there was an opportunity for an earlier appointment. You just said you had secured a 1 o'clock". Liz agrees, "if we'd have known that we could have discussed it".

Jamie is visibly nervous and stumbles over his words. "I will not be the fall guy".

With this in mind, Chris B chooses Chris F and Jamie to return with him.

Chris Bates is the first to bow his head when Lord Sugar speaks... he knows what's coming, he's been in the boardroom so many times. There's little argument.

"I'm not a loser but I don't think I'm responsible for any of those losses". He tries to say that he's unlucky but Lord Sugar shakes his head, "there's no unlucky in business".

Jamie pleads his case: "From the moment I arrived I've been making strong decisions and when I was project manager, even though we lost I made a record".

Lord Sugar catches him out by asking him for one gem of brilliance. "When have you actually come up with something special". There's no reply.

Chris F tries to state his case but Alan is convinced that he's more of a 'production manager' than anything else. He's happy that Chris is 'hands on' when it comes to the tasks but his selling and marketing skills aren't good enough. "Packing the boxes and putting everything in place is one thing, but it's not really what I'm looking for".

"Jamie and Christopher, I don't think that you were very well organised on the day you went off to Germany. I don't think that for one moment and you can talk till you're blue in the face, you won't convince me of that. Chris... what can I say to someone who's been here this many times? I don't know if I can keep doing this".

"Jamie... early on in this process I saw something from you but you're sliding down. Christopher, I do think you get things done and I do think people like you but I don't think you have that spark of genius that I'm looking for".

"CHRISTOPHER, YOU'RE FIRED!"

Chris Farrel leaves tonight.

I'm quite shocked by that. I have to say, I thought it would be Bates heading off. Chris is precise and focused and I thought he could have been offered the lead.

Chris looks lost: "I'm gutted to have gone. It's something I have to deal with, learn from and move on".

Did the right man leave?
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Who did Sandeesh brand a 'hindrance'?

Who should she have taken to the boardroom?

Who were her enemies?

What does the future hold and who does she want to win?

Click here for the interview in full...

Selena x

It seems that Sandeesh is the first to blame herself as well as her team mates for her recent firing. Much as they were 'me me me', she's 'virtually unmanageable' apparently.

She told The Mirror:

"The problem was that I didn't have a game plan. I just wanted to be a team player and do everything that I could with the team so that we had a win.

Some of the other candidates were very 'me me me', putting themselves forward for everything. They probably came out earlier than me and were found to be highly annoying.

A couple of ladies who came out before me really grated on housemates.

These people were fighting and bitching and back-stabbing, trying to get their face in the camera and be the one that takes the lead on everything, so that Lord Sugar doesn't say to them, 'Well, what are you doing? You didn't do much'.

I am happy that I've come away with integrity. It's better to be the way I was, than to be the highly-irritating, annoying person who gets on everyone's nerves.

I did learn that I don't really like to be micro-managed".

Do you think Sandeesh was unmanageable or just a team player?

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Selena x

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Tonight the nine remaining candidates visit Pinewood Studios. Lord Sugar instructs them to choose an exciting location to shoot blue-screen backgrounds which will enable members of the public to star in their own films.

The teams must then sell, sell, sell their big screen experience DVDs at London’s Westfield Shopping Centre.

Stuart Baggs, 'the brand' takes on the role of project manager for Apollo and Sandeesh steps up for Synergy.

Stuart's team head off to Brands Hatch and shoot a racing car backdrop. Fast corners and adrenaline filled the experience should be a cracker... They even grab themselves a toy race car as a prop for filming the kids and create 'experience medals' too - that should pull 'em in!

Sadly, he's not a hit with his team. Throughout the task they complain about his aggressive approach and the fact that he shys away from making decisions. His attitude doesn't go down well either...

He's verging on a David Brent impersonation! He's full of his own importance and barking orders, it's beyond annoying. You can tell he's the youngest of the group, he seems to have no clue when it comes to considering his teams strengths or their experience. He's obviously never heard phrase 'respect for your elders'.

“I’m a born leader, but I have to rein in my extreme masculinity. I won’t allow a----covering.”

Need I say more? If that was true. he would never have blagged the guys at Brands Hatch into letting him drive the car. He'd have been there to supervise shooting the footage with Laura. As a car lover, he was only thinking of his own experience - not that of the customer.

Advisor Nick Hewer can't believe what he's hearing either: “His leadership style leaves me trembling with irritation.”

Sandeesh has gone for something slightly more conservative - a skiing experience... Hmmm? Not sure how many will go for that. Does it have the same appeal? They stock up on woly hats and ski-poles for the shopping centre shoot, but I'm not convinced.

With the backdrops filmed, both teams arrive at London’s Westfield Shopping Centre and there's up to 100,000 potential customers to pitch to.

It's 10am and they have 10 hours to turn DVD's into dough.

The race car is a big seller as the kids spot it immediately. Joanna does well to pull in the punters (wearing her wings) and the children love the idea of the experience medals - they're showing them off as they walk away!

They whack out the discs and the customers are happy with the results on their return - the cash rolls in.

Meanwhile Sandeesh's team are struggling. As half the team couldn't attend the workshop, Sandeesh is training them now while they should be selling. Karren Brady can't believe it "What's the point in that!"

The downhill ski theme is bombing. The kids have little interest and the adults turn away. They're experience is more expensive than their opponents (which doesn't help), so they drop the price from 12 to 8 pounds and the customers filter in.

Time is up...

THE BOARDROOM:

It's almost sickening. Regardless of his arrogance Baggs has it in the bag. Synergy made more sales initially, but blew the win with high costs.

Apollo finished with £262.50 profit.

Synergy landed £222.97.

Unfortunately Synergy made some quick decisions that cost them. They spent 35 pounds more than Apollo on DVDs and 20 pounds more on marketing.

Apollo are treated to a champagne tasting at the oldest champagne bar in town.

THE FINALTHREE

Sandeesh chooses Chris and Liz to return to the boardroom.

"The way I see it is, I couldn't bring back Jamie or Christopher as they did their jobs well. They could have messed up in the back room, they didn't. I had to bring back Chris and Liz as they worked with me... This is down towho made poor decisions buying useless DVDs, marketing..."

Liz agrees with this but is the first to say she never raised the issue of price. Sandeesh points out that that was Chris.

Liz adds, "I think the decision to drop the price was made far too quickly. There was no opportunity to step back and see what was happening and I think that's where the fault lies".

Chris doesn't think it's fair that he's in this position again. He points out that Sandeesh didn't allocate jobs to people such as costing or marketing. He adds that when it came to selling, thanks to her disorganised management "we ended up doing 80% of the work because mistakes were made".

Lord Sugar stops them there...

"Chris this is the fifth time you've been here".

Chris dismisses that, "For the percentage that I've lost in, I'm still confident in my performance. I've worked hard, I've done what's been asked, I've project managed and when I did, we broke a record that week". 

Sugar asks Sandeesh for her defense. "I have always given it everything I've got and it's always been with a view to the team winning. I don't consider myself to be the reason we lost this task. I wanted to win, I've got the right attitude for it and I do get on with the majority of people as well".

And finally Liz, "I don't think I could have done anymore, I worked my guts out. When I thought there was a problem, I rose it and I helped to make a solution. I supported Sandeesh and I get things done".

The decision is made, "Liz... it was a big error in my opinion is with the costings. The profit wasn't thought out and someone as meticulous as you should have picked it up.

Chris, I've seen people over the years think they've already crossed the finish line. They say they've sold this and they've broke records in that... it doesn't work with me.

Sandeesh, we've talked many times over the weeks about planning. Clearly with this task there was no planning. You're up against two big contenders here, I'm gonna have to let you go - YOU'RE FIRED!"

Sandeesh has little to say, "I think he's made a mistake letting me go but what can I say, he's made his decision".

Did the right candidate leave?

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Selena x

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“I’m Stuart Baggs, The Brand. Everything I touch turns to sold”. Really?

Stuart has kept a remarkably low profile since Show 1 when Lord Sugar slated his 'silly lines' and told him to 'shut up', but tonight we'll get to see him put his money where his mouth is.

Yes, the phrase "Hasta La Vista Gravy" may go down in Apprentice history (be it for all the wrong reasons), but Alex Epstein will not.

How did he leap from being the good guy of the show to facing Lord Sugar's firing finger of fate?

Well blimey, where do I start?

It was a lost cause from the start really wasn't it?

First of all you'd have thought that with his wealth of marketing experience, a task like this would be a walk in the park? Errr... No.

His first mistake was to alienate half of his team during the initial brainstorming session. Chris shot a fair few sparks along with Laura, but Alex was both dismissive and rude. He only went with the 'Germ-o-nator' concept out of desperation in the end - the team felt their was no point putting ideas forward just to be shunned, so why bother - it was all they had.

So on to the product itself...

With no idea about health and safety (and little common sense it seems), Apollo enlisted a child to play the 'Germ-o-nator'. Yep, that would be the little one holding the spray marked 'keep out of reach of children' - Duh! A huge cock up as well as contradiction.

Do I even need to mention the packaging? Red and black bottles remind me of two things, de-greaser or weedkiller and this is neither. The design didn't lend itself to the product in any way and as Lord Sugar pointed out, "it wouldn't fit in a kitchen or a bathroom" - It just didn't say 'clean'.

Which brings me on to Alex and his team...

He'd already demonstrated that he didn't listen during the brainstorming session and as a project manager, it's one skill you need to have.

Sandeesh did tell him that the focus group suggested using yellow and even though he claims she didn't, he was right there at the time! Why didn't he listen himself? You'd think the opinions of wives and mothers aren't important - they're your demographic Alex! Grrr...

Anyway... before I pop a blood vessel, I'll finish.

Lord Sugar said it best in the boardroom, Alex 'didn't manage well'. As well as everything else, he sent Chris off to fly solo with the TV ad (when he clearly should have been there). He then marginalised Laura and brushed off her complaints... and then finally (and this is the best part), he made the mistake of blowing up at Chris infront of Lord Sugar when he'd painted himself to be the 'good guy'.

Like butter wouldn't melt? I don't think so.

Time up...

YOU'RE FIRED!

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Who will face Lord Sugar's firing finger of fate tonight?

SHOW STARTS:

Tonight Lord Sugar challenges the aspiring entrepreneurs to create a new brand of household cleaner.

He surprises the group at home to inform them of their task and although some manage to pull on a suit, others are caught short in socks and pyjamas.

They have two days to think of a brand name, design packaging and create a radio and TV ad so as to pitch their product.

Alex Epstein is project manager for Apollo (thanks to his marketing experience) and Chris Farrell is up for Synergy.

Synergy also have a secret weapon in Jo as she's manages a cleaning business.

Alex starts off poorly by dismissing Chris's name suggestion - Germinate... Promoted by 'The Germinator!' Chris scowls as Alex says the ad company would "laugh that off", but the rest of the team love the name.

Back with Chris and the group are hoping to create an ad that flips from black and white to glorious technicolor thanks to their cleaner - zing!

Apollo are off to do some market research and they ask a mums and tots group about their ideas. Germinator is laughed off and the name 'helping hand' is branded "boring!"

They do leave knowing that the best colour to use is yellow - what a result, not!

It's not going too well is it?

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I'm not impressed with Chris Farrell. Considering he was both focused and organised in the baking challenge, the power seems to have gone to his head this week.

He comes up with the concept of a wife with too many things to clean and decides an octopus would be a great logo.

The team aren't sold on the idea of Octi-Clean - "where 8 hands are better than 2" but Chris insists it will work.

Both Synergy and advisor Nick Hewer are shocked as Chris gets completely carried away. He casts himself as the dad in their TV ad and begins auditioning young ladies to be his wife.

He's nothing short of smitten with a sexy brunette and needless to say she gets the job!

Cleaning manager Jo doesn't think the octopus concept connects with their target audience (mothers) and she thinks the casting session was more about Chris.

"I think it's quite shady how Chris has picked the young, attractive girl."

Chris thinks it's important that he and the actress gel - "Sex sells - let's be fair. It's really important for me and the actress to have chemistry."

Nick Hewer disagrees: "So much for the liberated woman - this commercial is a stereotypical mumsy housewife. In 2010 you do not show this kind of 1950s schmaltz."

Over with Apollo and Alex is designing the packaging. He chooses red and black and although the team point out that the market research suggested yellow, he says 'it will be fine'. They rol their eyes but nobody says a word...

Later Laura is furious to be part of a sub team that is not being utilised: They fly through their radio ad and are ready to return to the group but Alex implies that that would be pointless. To prove a point the following day, Laura makes an early start and writes up her pitch before the other wake. Alex dismisses this and asks to hear the others pitch - he chooses Sandeesh.

Laura erupts: "They've chosen the biggest load of cr*p for

the pitch and it's b*llocks! I see this as a complete disaster! Have you ever seen me this p**sed off?"

The groups make their pitches and the panel of experts have little positive to say.

With regard to the Germinator, the packaging doesn't say 'clean' and there's too much emphasis on germs rather than cleaning. They also make the mistake of calling their product a 'deep stain remover' which is not the case.

Octi-clean is slated and Chris is on his toes as he's challenged on every point he makes. The actress in an octopus suit is the memorable moment rather than the cleaner itself and the husband and wife moment is obviously self indulgent.

On hearing the feedback Lord Sugar advises that it's "a close call". Both teams performed poorly but he hands it to Chris and Synergy as they've created something that actually looks like a cleaner.

When it comes to Germinator, the multi millionaire is at a loss. "This does not lend itself to a kitchen or a bathroom. I would expect to see this packaging in a car showroom as a degreaser!" I was thinking more weedkiller myself.

THE FINAL THREE:

I'm surprised. Regardless of the fact that Laura complains of being sidelined for the whole day and slates Alex as a manager, he chooses to bring back Chris and Sandeesh as they created the TV ad.

Like Paloma before him, he chose Sandeesh to come back after saying what a great job she had done. His excuse is that she didn't tell him that the focus group suggested yellow for the packaging - she did.

Alex blames the TV ad for their failure but Lord Sugar disagrees. "This is about the packaging and the content of the advert. The actual TV advert wasn't that bad".

Chris believes that Alex is responsible. "He didn't manage well and did nothing creative". Alex tries to blame Chris as he wrote the ad and the businessmen shout and bicker like children.

Sandeesh is asked for her view, "Alex was panicking and he wasn't creative. He didn't lead us well and I don't really know what he did".

Lord Sugar has heard enough. He sends Sandeesh back to the house as he has no idea why she's there.

Although he thinks Chris was a little 'cocky' during the task as well as in the boardroom, this comes down to the fact that Alex dropped the ball.

"Alex, this is what you do as your day job and you've said that you are not creative, you manage. But you didn't manage the group well. I have to say YOU'RE FIRED!"

Alex: "I think Lord Sugar has made a huge mistake but I run my own businesses - I don't need him".

Sandeesh hits the nail on the head, "Alex is stupid. If he'd have taken Laura back in he may still be here".

Do you think the right candidate left tonight?
I'm glad Alex has gone, I agreed with Paloma that he was irritating.

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Selena x

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Things are hotting up on tonight's Apprentice...

Lord Sugar challenges the aspiring entrepreneurs to create a new brand of household cleaner, and former Royal Marine Commando Christopher Farrell upsets his team and advisor by focusing on a raunchy TV ad.

As project manager for Synergy he chooses to call his team's cleaner 'Octoklean', inspired by an Octopus. His colleagues seem pleased with his efforts until Chris decides to cast himself in the ad for their campaign and starts auditioning sexy ladies to play his wife.

When he settle on a hot brunette, team mate Joanna Riley scoffs: "I think it's quite shady how Chris has picked the young, attractive girl."

But Chris won't be swayed. "Sex sells - let's be fair. It's really important for me and the actress to have chemistry."

Judge Nick Hewer is less than impressed: "So much for the liberated woman - this commercial is a stereotypical mumsy housewife. In 2010 you do not show this kind of 1950s schmaltz."

So who's got it right?

Will the campaign work for Chris and leave Lord Sugar hot under the collar?

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Join me tonight from 9pm for the Live Blog. I'll be here to cover the show and chat as Synergy and Apollo battle it out.